Florida Tea Party congressman to be in court on drug charge

MIAMI (Reuters) - U.S. Representative Trey Radel, a Tea Party Republican from Florida, is due to be arraigned Wednesday in a Washington, D.C., court on a misdemeanor charge of drug possession, according to court documents. The drug possession charge involved cocaine in an October 29 incident, according to several media reports citing a second D.C. Superior Court document. In a statement, Radel, 37, apologized to his family and constituents in southwest Florida, saying that he struggled "with the disease of alcoholism, and this led to an extremely irresponsible choice." Radel, a freshman member of Congress who calls himself a "Hip Hop Conservative, Lover of #liberty" on his Twitter page, faces a possible six months in jail. "As the father of a young son and a husband to a loving wife, I need to get help so I can be a better man for both of them." "In facing this charge, I realize the disappointment my family, friends and constituents must feel. Believe me, I am disappointed in myself, and I stand ready to face the consequences of my actions," he said, adding that he would be seeking treatment and counseling. Before running for Congress, Radel hosted a conservative TV and radio talk show in Florida. The Tea Party is a conservative political movement that opposes higher taxes and big federal government. Had he been arrested in Florida, where cocaine possession is a felony, Radel could be facing even more serious legal problems, including loss of his voting rights and the right to carry a firearm. In Florida, possession of any amount of cocaine is a third degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in jail. "First time offenders are generally allowed to participate in a Drug Court, where they receive outpatient treatment for a year and then the charges are dismissed," said David Weinstein, a former state prosecutor. (Reporting by David Adams and Zachary Fagenson; Editing by Jackie Frank)