"The Wire" Actress Pleads Innocence In DEA Raid Arrest

Former "The Wire" television series actress Felicia "Snoop" Pearson has reportedly pleaded her innocence after being arrested over the winter in Maryland on drug-related charges.

Sticking to her story, Pearson pleaded not guilty to the charges on Tuesday (May 16).

In March, The Wire's Felicia 'Snoop' Pearson was arrested as part of a large DEA raid targeting a heroin and marijuana operation centered in Baltimore. (At the time, David Simon had this very David Simon-y thing to say: "Both our Constitution and our common law guarantee that we will be judged by our peers. But in truth, there are now two Americas, politically and economically distinct. I, for one, do not qualify as a peer to Felicia Pearson.") Snoop has now been arraigned on the charges, and she's plead not guilty; she says she'll address the situation "as soon as the case is over with." (New York Mag)

Following her March arrest, Pearson's representative Soulgee McQueen issued a statement speaking on the actress' behalf.

"Felicia Pearson has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. In Felicia's case, she feels that she is being targeted not only because of her portrayal of the memorable character "Snoop" On HBO's critically acclaimed series THE WIRE; but also because of where she is from in Baltimore. Felicia grew up where high crime rates, drug use and violence are the norm. Felicia has overcome numerous hard ships in her lifetime. She does not expect these hardships to be used as an excuse for illegal activities." (Statement)

McQueen also pointed out the positive contributions Snoop has made despite the negative publicity she received in light of the publicized arrest.

"She has never stopped working on self improvement. Felicia has made strong statements against drugs and violence of any kind. She is focused on living a positive life-style encouraging youth and formerly incarcerated women to make positive choices for themselves. She is currently working on 3 films that are shooting in Philadelphia with Len Daniels and T-Town Music Group. Felicia hopes to return to the Philadelphia film set immediately, and wants her friends and fans to know that she is keeping her head up, shoulders back and that she is prepared to fight these new charges against her." (Statement)

Snoop was forced to remain behind bars following her March 10th arrest.

An actress who appeared on the HBO series "The Wire" is being held without bail on charges of conspiring to sell heroin. A Baltimore Circuit Court judge denied bail Friday for 30-year-old Felicia "Snoop" Pearson, who played a killer of the same name on the hit television series. Pearson is one of 64 people charged in a joint state-federal prosecution of a large east Baltimore drug gang dubbed "Operation Usual Suspects." (Associated Press)