Seems trading away Stephen Jackson wasn’t enough to keep the Pacers out of the police reports. Memphis native Shawne Williams was released from jail late this morning after being arrested on marijuana possession and driving-related charges.

Williams, the Indiana Pacers first round draft pick out of the University of Memphis last season, was charged with possession of marijuana, driving without a license, driving with an expired license plate, and failure to signal a lane change after he was pulled over shortly after midnight in Indianapolis. Williams is scheduled to appear for an initial hearing at 8:30 a.m. Friday.

According to the police report, the arresting officer noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the open driver’s side window of Williams’ 2007 Cadillac Escalade. A marijuana “blunt” cigarette was found, which one of the passengers, Roosevelt Rollins, 21, of Memphis, said was his. He was arrested for marijuana possession.

Another passenger, Roderick Helton, 32, of Memphis, was arrested for carrying a Smith and Wesson 9-mm handgun, which had been reported stolen from Collierville. He was arrested for having the gun without a license and theft.

Needless to say, Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird wasn’t happy about the team’s latest off-the-court incident.

“We are extremely disappointed concerning the arrest of Shawne Williams early this morning,” Bird said in a released statement. “Although the legal process needs to be followed, we will not accept Shawne putting himself in this position, regardless of innocence or guilt.

“This was clearly a bad and unacceptable decision. We will be meeting with Shawne at some point to discuss this and pursue any disciplinary action we can take.”

Hopefully, Bird will use a firm hand in dealing with Williams. It’s time for teams in all sports for follow the lead of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and let athletes know that they can’t keep breaking the law without having harsh consequences. It’s a privelege, not a right to be a professional athlete. And with that comes certain responsibilities, among those being to uphold the law and not hang out with others who choose to break the law.