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Sierra Is Facing More Charges

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By CARLOS MONCADA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 2, 2007

Video: Officer Says Sierra Was Combative

TAMPA - Former "American Idol" contestant Jessica Sierra was facing new charges Saturday after Tampa police arrested her in Ybor City.

Police arrested Sierra at 2:10 a.m. Saturday on charges of disorderly intoxication and resisting arrest without violence, according to Tampa police. She also faces a violation of probation charge.

Jessica Sierra

Just two weeks ago, the 22-year-old singer pleaded no contest to charges of cocaine possession and felony battery for hitting a man with a glass at a bar in April.

Sierra was being held at Orient Road Jail without bail. Her attorney, John Fitzgibbons, declined to comment on the matter when reached at his office Saturday.

"I've just heard about this, and I don't have any information at this time," he said.

According to a criminal report affidavit, Sierra was raising a disturbance inside the Full Moon Saloon, 1612 E. Seventh Ave. She was escorted from the club and walked across the street, then began fighting with a friend. Sierra walked away then began pushing people who were walking on the sidewalk in front of the club, yelling and screaming at them, the affidavit said.

She was arrested after pushing away a police officer who tried to restrain her. The affidavit said Sierra had a strong smell of alcohol on her breath, was unsteady and had glassy eyes.

On April 29, Sierra was arrested at Hyde Park Cafe, where she was accused of picking up a glass and striking Wisam Hadad above the eye. Hadad said he had never met the singer. She claimed he spat on her but later said she may have mistaken Hadad for someone else.

Circuit Judge Gregory Holder sentenced Sierra on Nov. 19 to 12 months' probation and random drug screening. She was to complete her current drug-rehabilitation after-care program and follow up with a second component to that program.

A top-10 contestant on the talent show "American Idol" in 2005, Sierra entered a California rehab facility in July. Her outcome was to be documented on VH1's reality show "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" early next year.

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