JOHNS ARRESTED AGAIN ON DRUG CHARGE

BALTIMORE, Oct. 8 -- Baltimore Orioles pitcher Doug Johns was arrested this
morning on a charge of driving under the influence of marijuana, his second
arrest in seven months on marijuana-related charges.

Johns, 31, was arrested at about 9:40 a.m. at the Francis Scott Key Bridge
toll plaza on Interstate 695, southeast of Baltimore, after an officer
noticed him blocking traffic.

Johns, who was also arrested on charges of possession of marijuana on April
5 in downtown Baltimore, could not be reached to comment tonight. An Orioles
official said the team would have no official comment.

According to Maryland Transportation Authority spokeswoman Lori Vidil, Johns
informed a toll-booth attendant that he did not have the required one dollar
toll, and the attendant asked him to pull over and fill out a form that
would allow Johns to pay the toll later.

However, Johns did not drive clear of all lanes of traffic, and he was
blocking traffic when he was approached by Officer Richard Ricko, Vidil said.

When Ricko ordered Johns to move out of traffic lanes, he complied, but
Ricko noticed the smell of alcohol and asked Johns to submit to a field
sobriety test, which Johns refused.

Although a breath-alcohol exam came up negative for alcohol, Vidil said that
Ricko "stands by" his claim that he smelled alcohol.

A police drug-recognition expert subsequently evaluated Johns and said he
appeared to be under the influence of marijuana, Vidil said. Johns refused a
blood test for controlled dangerous substances.

After several hours in custody, Johns was released to the custody of his
attorney. He was charged with driving under the influence and with
obstructing the roadway. He faces a 120-day suspension of his driver's
license and a $40 fine for refusing the blood test, in addition to any
penalties if found guilty of the two charges.

Johns still is awaiting a court hearing on his April charges.