Former Winner of Big Brother Charged with Drug Possession

(Here is a piece on court coverage)

BOSTON – Adam Jasinski, the winner of the CBS reality television show Big Brother Season 9, pled guilty to charges of drug possession with the intent to distribute and failure to file tax returns in U.S District Court in Boston this past Monday.

Jasinski, 32, from Delray Beach, FL was arrested last October when over 2,000 blue pills of oxycodone were found in his possession. Oxycodone is an active ingredient in the drug OxyContin.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda Ricci presented evidence for the prosecution, stating that a government witness picked Jasinski up at Boston’s Logan International Airport after a flight from Florida on Oct. 17, 2009. When they got into the witness’ car, Jasinski pulled two small bags containing the 30 mg oxycodone pills from a white sock he had hidden in his pants. He was then arrested.

Jasinski, who won a $500,000 grand prize on the reality television show Big Brother in April 2008, also failed to file an income tax return and pay additional taxes owed on the prize money, according to Ricci. Big Brother is a reality show that features 16 contestants confined in a house under surveillance 24/7. There are competitions and house evictions each week, and the last house member left standing receives the $500,000 prize.

In Jasinski’s defense, lawyer Valerie Carter stated Jasinski should be released on bail under extraordinary circumstances. She claimed Jasinski entered a Massachusetts drug treatment facility for four months and is currently in nonresidential treatment in New Jersey where his parents reside. He is being treated for substance abuse and for bipolar disorder. Carter claimed Jasinski passed all drug tests while in treatment, and recommended a sentence of strict house arrest so Jasinski could continue nonresidential treatment uninterrupted.

Judge William Young denied Carter’s request, stating that although Jasinski’s circumstances were admirable they were not exceptional, and in order to be so, “It has got to be more than personal circumstance.”

After his guilty plea, Jasinski was handcuffed and taken into custody. His sentencing is scheduled for January 11 at 2 p.m.