McKEES ROCKS, Pa. -- Undefeated lightweight boxing champion Paul Spadafora told police he put up $1,400 to bail out an alleged drug dealer because the man was a longtime friend.
The suspect, 29-year-old James Starr Adams, was picked up Wednesday morning at Spadafora's McKees Rocks home. Adams was among 40 suspected dealers arrested in an undercover sweep throughout the Rocks, where he is known by the nickname "Teardrop."
"No matter what he does in his world, I know what he's like when he's with me," Spadafora said Friday. "He's a good person when he's with me. He never did anything bad with me."
Adams was released from Allegheny County Jail after Spadafora (pictured, left) posted a percentage of his $25,000 bond, but county police said the suspect should have been held because he was wanted for a 1999 parole violation.
County police said jail officials were unaware of Adams' background because he told them his name was William Morris.
After police learned what had happened, McKees Rocks officers stopped Spadafora in his car and searched his house. They came away empty-handed, and Spadafora was not charged with a crime.
"I just did him a favor," Spadafora said. "He's a friend of mine, so I did him a favor."
Spadafora, who holds the International Boxing Federation title at 135 pounds, told police that he and Adams have been friends for 11 years. But Spadafora said he only knew Adams by his nickname, which is based on a tear-shaped tattoo under his left eye.
Adams was jailed for reckless endangerment and a firearms violation after an arrest in the 1990s, Morton said. Police did not know how he violated his parole.
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