Willie Nelson was arrested on the morning of 26 November 2010 after Border Patrol agents smelled marijuana wafting from his tour bus at the Sierra Blanca checkpoint in West Texas.[1][2] Nelson, 77, claimed ownership of the six ounces found aboard the bus, which was en route to his home in Austin.[3] He was booked into the Hudspeth County jail and freed after posting $2,500 bond, facing up to six months in jail on the possession charge.[3]
A song in court, then a fine
County Attorney Kit Bramblett, frustrated that the judge would not let Nelson plead by mail and appear in person instead, joked that Nelson could settle the case by singing Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain in court and paying a $100 fine.[1] Judge Becky Dean-Walker later clarified the offer was a joke that got out of hand, while confirming Nelson could plead by mail.[1] In June 2011 Nelson pleaded to a reduced charge of possession of drug paraphernalia with a $500 fine, which would drop from his record if he stayed out of trouble for 30 days.[2] His lawyer said Nelson, who noted several people had access to the bus, was very happy the case settled without a court appearance.[2]
