Bristol Palin’s future mother-in-law arrested on drug charges
By Jimmy Orr | 12.19.08
It’s been a tough week for the Palin family. You’ll remember last Friday, Governor Palin’s church was heavily damaged due to a blaze that appears to have been intentionally set.
Now there’s news today that daughter Bristol’s future mother-in-law, Sherry Johnston, has been arrested on six felony drug counts.
Levi’s Mom
Ms. Johnston, the mother of Levi Johnston, who was launched into the spotlight at the Republican National Convention last September, was arrested yesterday afternoon “at the conclusion of an undercover narcotics investigation,” according to an Alaska State Trooper report.
Johnston has since been released on a $5,000 unsecured bond.
No comment
Governor Palin’s reaction? She’s not discussing it, yet.
“This is not a state government matter,” Palin spokesman Bill McAllister told the Anchorage Daily News. “Therefore the governor’s communications staff will not be providing comment or scheduling interview opportunities.”
No news yet on what types of drugs are involved or the amount as that could jeopardize the investigation according to the newspaper.
Some good news
It’s not all bad news for the two families, however. Bristol and boyfriend Levi’s baby is due tomorrow.
Great-grandfather-to-be Chuck Health (Sarah’s dad) told Grandparents.com that the two will have a boy.
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2. *yawn* | 12.19.08
Who cares? Palin bashing is only fun when it’s directly related to her. She can’t control her in-laws. (That was proven with the incidents leading up to Troopergate.) Let’s not bring her face onto our screens unless she rears her head into the the spotlight on her own–or unless she, herself–meaning, not an in-law–does something fantastically stupid. Again. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of opportunities in the future. For now, let’s not force the issue; we already know she is a dolt in a pack of dolts. (Or we’re absolutely in love with her and cannot see anything wrong with that majestic gift from God.)
3. Beau | 12.19.08
I could care less if Palin’s cousin’s second husband’s nephew’s daughter was accused of using drugs. You really don’t have anything better to report on? How about genocide in Africa…..? Get off your liberal bandwagon.
4. halena cline | 12.19.08
Oh Yeah, That’s great family stock!!!! Great pick for Bristol and child!!
5. Jeff | 12.19.08
I feel sorry for these two young people that their parents continue to throw them into the spotlight on a very private matter. I wish them great joy with their new child
6. ld | 12.19.08
omg…it just slays me…I live in NY and i cant get over how in the city there are less preggie teenagers and mom’s slinging dope than in Wasilla or wherever these criminals are from…thank god this is not in a true power of governmental position…Governor of Alaska kinda doesn’t count…
7. Tom | 12.19.08
This is going to be 100x more visible in the media than the story of Palin’s church being torched.
9. Nixon | 12.19.08
How long do we have to wait before they drop the pretext that Bristol and Levi will ever get married? Levi was pretty clear a few months ago on his blog that he didn’t want to.
10. cjw3cma | 12.19.08
Just goes to prove that what happens in Alaska no longer stays in Alaska.
Nothing but negatives since Palin’s try for major political office outside of her state. An unwed mother-to-be as a daughter / questionable use of campaign funds to dress up her and her family (so they didn’t appear in flannel & camo outfits)/ spending state monies for trips with her kids / etc…….
And now this. Good job McSame campaign. Just like Brownie, you did a heck of a job picking her.
11. carl | 12.19.08
If anybody is shallow enough to try and blame this on Gov. Palin, they’re not deep enough to vote. This story should be relegated to the local court news.
12. jethro mayham | 12.19.08
It’s not Palin’s fault being in the spotlight. McCain selected her with a dart and never vetted them. Anyways, let them be because it is all over for the Govenor. hahaha
13. Oscar Paez | 12.19.08
Ys, It is typical of Republic moralists, but in deed they are more corrupt than any body else.
14. Lori Cole | 12.19.08
Another site suggested that she was charged with “manufacturing narcotics.” Is that language applicable to growing marijuana, or is this about methamphetamine?
15. Katie | 12.19.08
With what happening in Sarah’s life, we now, more than ever need to focus on positively supporting Sarah! She is just what we need, someone who makes Washington scared! Come on Sarah lets shake things up!! Every day I look at my Sarah Palin calendar and I am inspired to fight! She will make it to the White House! (the calendar by the way, is on amazon, and is GORGEOUS!! it also makes a great gift!!) SARAH PALIN 2012!!
16. Buzz Daly | 12.19.08
Your requirements listed below for publication are overbearing, unnecessary, and, certainly not a place where I’d leave my comments. Sorry. You do not measure up, therefore, I will not post on your site. Are you folks in China?
17. William from Minnesota | 12.19.08
Any way that the Democrats can attack Governor Palin they will do it.
19. Jerry Ulibarri/Orlando | 12.19.08
I feel like a snob saying this, but I am relieved that Mrs. Johnston is nothing more than an anonymous citizen of Alaska, and not the in-law of our vice president. It could have been different.
21. Tom Tee | 12.19.08
When arrested, Sherry Johnston, the baby’s grandmother, claimed drugs helped ease pain of the near miss with the White House privileges. More Republican family values via Eskimoland.
22. Ron Sampson | 12.19.08
Sarah & Todd Palin look like druggies too. Wasilia is the meth capital of the pacific northwest..
23. Tom H | 12.19.08
Let me get this straight… Sarah Palin’s daughters boyfriends mother was arrested…. What’s really newsworthy about that
29. Mary Beecham | 12.19.08
Since Sarah Palin worked so hard to legitimize guilt by association (like Joseph McCarthy before her), does this mean that Sarah Palin and her family are pal-ing around with drug addicts? How right does that feel Sarah?
31. jimsquires | 12.19.08
Atheists, mormons and homosexuals (AMH)are always looking for opportunities to attack christians in any way possible, so the account; to be fair should include any connection with the event and its publication by the AMH element.
32. Danny Bonita | 12.19.08
This is nothing compared to the trash that the Clintons brought down on us. It is a drop in the bucket compared to the Kennedy Clan. At least Levi isn’t going to drive Bristol off a bridge and leave her at the bottom of a river.
33. Julianne Eaker | 12.19.08
What goes on in that young girl’s life is none of our business. Miss Palin is not responsible for the actions of anyone else either. If only people
were more interested in our country that is falling apart or the man that is
unqualified to be head of the country. He doesn’t even salute the flag. GOD
HELP US. This man is too friendly with our enemies.
34. Not Required | 12.19.08
Your requirements listed below for publication are overbearing, unnecessary, and, certainly not a place where I’d leave my comments. Sorry. You do not measure up, therefore, I will not post on your site. Are you folks in China?
35. Timothy Anderson | 12.19.08
I feel sorry for the kids.
No one deserves a Meth Mom.
It would be unfair to attribute this directly to Sara Palin but her fast lifestyle makes it hard to see whats going on in Wasilla.
36. Richard | 12.19.08
So, Merry Christmas to you all.
Even if there is only one person involved S… can happen. There are several people invloved here, can any of you spell “Barracuda Press?”
Richard
38. Wm. Maher | 12.19.08
More fodder for the liberals who still think they know best for everyone. Gov. Palin is exactly what this country needs. Give us more like her.
39. John Skookum | 12.19.08
So Palin’s daughter’s fiance’s mother gets busted for drugs, and everyone’s bashing Sarah again.
Yet Obama himself admitted to using cocaine and marijuana, and there are multiple allegations that he himself was a dealer, but that’s OK?
41. mavisdarling | 12.19.08
Well, I think it’s news. According to Sarah herself, a person should be judged by the company they keep. Seems a little sleazy for the governor to be marrying her daughter off to the son of a meth dealer… of COURSE this is news. Just goes to show that Karma may be rearing its ugly head in Sarah’s direction, that’s all.
42. FML | 12.19.08
awesome. they’re either profoundly stupid or entirely complicit.
hint: neither of those things are good.
guilt by association was good enough for the campaign, it’s good enough now.
43. Mike Jones | 12.19.08
I Love Palin.
Who cares about these stupid drug charges.
Leave Palin and her family alone. This has nothing to do with her.
Maybe report on the racist liar that will soon be running the country.
44. Dave | 12.19.08
@ Julianne Eaker….
Quite a persuasive argument against Obama. To say that he’s not qualified to lead and then use as evidence the assertion that he doesn’t salute the flag. Maybe next election we can save everyone all the grief and just have a flag saluting contest to see who should be President.
Also, have you forgotten that one of the daggers Ms. Palin threw at Obama over and over was that he was friendly to terrorists since he knew someone who did bad things over 40 years ago? Is she not accountable to her own public standards of guilt by association?
45. Walter | 12.19.08
As per usual: Republicans reveal themselves to be the most corrupt, the most dishonest, the most debauched, the most criminal. What a bunch of nasty, low down hypocrites.
46. Harold Ramis | 12.19.08
To everyone complaining that this isn’t newsworthy: Don’t read it. Is your mouse part of the apparent worldwide liberal conspiracy? Perhaps your Internet connection has been secretly comandeered by Hilary Clinton’s minions? If you’re so disinterested, don’t click the damn link! The fact that you’re all up in arms with the usual liberal conspiracy drivel is MAKING this newsworthy.
47. owlafaye | 12.19.08
William from Minnesota…believes that those sneaky Democrats put her up to using drugs so we could all make fun of the Palins.
Does your tin foil hat have the secret atomic radio wave repelling wiring feature William?
Laughter
48. Dick Kolklayshr | 12.19.08
My wife had our kids later than our friends and acquaintances so we got to see their kids go through their delinquencies or pregnancies or whatever before our kids were old enough to escape our protective wings. We were both smart enough to keep our comments to ourselves because we had no assurance our own offspring would not get caught up in the same problems. Our house has glass construction so we made sure no stones were anywhere close. *smile*
49. Gored by bush | 12.19.08
Bristol who? Oh, yea, the 16 year old giving birth of a 21 year old man, and the daughter of sacred turkey head cutting governor. Too bad terrorist burned down their church, they are going to need it now. No one is rejected from terrorist deeds.
50. BostonFan | 12.19.08
Please - If you are so willing to use the ‘guilty by association’ card, let’s compare apples to apples. Palin is just as much guilty for Levi’s mother’s actions as Obama is guilty for everyone in his contact.
Fair enough.
51. Bob | 12.19.08
Not to worry, Republicans. The Obama administration will make all of the Palin dirt appear as minuscule as it really is. It’s a given. If only the press would report it.
53. Naed Namgiz | 12.19.08
This is not news for a national publication. Does the CSM report every other drug arrest in the US?
You won the election–leave the woman and her family alone.
54. Bubba Bob | 12.19.08
Julianne Eaker wrote “What goes on in that young girl’s life is none of our business. Miss Palin is not responsible for the actions of anyone else either. If only people were more interested in our country that is falling apart or the man that is unqualified to be head of the country. He doesn’t even salute the flag. GOD HELP US. This man is too friendly with our enemies.”
Let me guess: You would rather have a vice president (or president of vice?) whose daughter’s mother-in-law is a methamphetamine trafficker? One whose pastor hunts witches… literally? One who doesn’t know if Africa is a country or a continent? And a president who was taken COMPLETELY by surprise by the current recession (which we know has been going on for over a year)? A president who wants to keep our troops in Iraq for the next hundred years?
Yeah… god help us and save us from idiots like yourself.
55. John | 12.19.08
Beau said:
“I could care less if Palin’s cousin’s second husband’s nephew’s daughter was accused of using drugs. You really don’t have anything better to report on? How about genocide in Africa…..? Get off your liberal bandwagon.”
Yeah, Beau. As soon as you stop caring that Obama was in the same room with someone who knew someone who planted a bomb in a restroom.
57. Meme | 12.19.08
YES! This CAN be directly attributed of Palin. It was her daughter and her upbringing that got her into this mess and into that family. And, worse yet, Palin paraded the young ones around like props. It is called poor parenting on both sides.
58. Kyle Johnson | 12.19.08
And the winner is…
“18. Tc | 12.19.08
Pallin’ around with drug dealers? You Betcha!”
59. buzz windrip | 12.19.08
6. ld | 12.19.08
“omg…it just slays me…I live in NY”
You have our sympathies, dear.
60. johnp | 12.19.08
I’m a democrat and voted for OBama and I feel that Levi’s mother is far removed from Sarah Palin and the press should just leave the case alone, but we all know that won’t happen. it’s all about ratings for the press. this is a very sad event for the mother to be. I feel sorry for her and Levi most of all. lots of families go thru this type of thing. liberal or not, just leave them alone please.
62. ian {Australia} | 12.19.08
Oh! This is just so great!
Politics, an inarticulate winking clothes horse, Library censorship of classic literature, Teenage pregnancy, Family values? [lol].Family feuds, Church burnings, Drug dealing in-laws, Clothing scams with political funds, Fundamentalist wack beliefs, ‘Jesus ponies’, sightings of Russia while on moose shooting trips, etc. etc.
If Arron Spelling [RIP] had proposed this as a T.V. series he would have been laughed out of Hollywood.
63. lisa | 12.19.08
The first step is admitting you have a problem. Sarah Palin, has, weather you like it or not, a problem in her personal life if, indeed, the accused is a substance abuser and or dealer of illegally controlled substances. Being raised by a drug user is no small issue. This young man may need some psychological help before he is ready to start raising his own family.
64. Phoenix Rising | 12.19.08
Why haven’t they gotten Married Yet?
I thought vthey were supposed to get married
There goes another person who said “No” to Dictator Palin…Who’s next?
65. Snowy | 12.20.08
More GOP family “Values” from Alaska: Teenage pregancy, drug dealer. More credibility for Sally J. Mooseburger!
Since when is pointing out family values hypocrisy and drug dealing a “liberal” thing?
I thought Bush girls underage drinking and daddy’s AWOL and coke use was pretty good, but this is starting to rival it.
66. mavisdarling | 12.20.08
Actually, the Anchorage Daily News is reporting the charges are related to Oxycontin, not meth. It’s just as bad, though. Hillbilly Heroin.
67. heart of texas | 12.20.08
I think this is sad for the family… unfortunate for Bristol who is about to give birth.. the last thing she needs is the pressures of this having gone public, and the stresses she must know it puts on her parents, her mom especially! This should be a joyous occaision… and it’s sad that so many people in this country can’t even pretend to hide their elation for another mark against Sarah Palin!
69. Donna Diyawanna | 12.20.08
Sherry Johnston was busted for Oxycontin-details to follow.
Rush Limbaugh had pain too!
These are extremely painful times for us all here in America.
I hope Bristol has a boy, for obvious reasons.
70. Michael453 | 12.20.08
To those who say Bristol should marry, I say, “Hey wait at bit.”
Would you want your daughter to marry into that family? Why couldn’t the two use prevention if he and she wanted to sow their wild oats? It’s all for the best if they don’t marry. Would you trust the pair of them to babysit your children? Is either self supporting?
71. Cornplanter | 12.20.08
Wasila is known as the “Meth Capitol of Alaska”. It has up to 40 labs. It seems to me, as mayor of this town, dear old Sarah should have hired herself a couple of community organizers to deal with this problem.
Oh ****, Palin couldn’t keep her kids off drugs. Why would I think she could keep it out of her town?
At least she has good old fashion American Values.
(American Values, Morality and God are registered trademarks of the Republican Party. Any use of these, without the expressed written consent of the RNC or Fox News, is forbiddened by law.
72. Mr. G | 12.20.08
According to johnp, “It’s all about ratings for the press.” Not really. Gov. Palin continues to push herself into the national political spotlight, and so by her own actions becomes a less-than-private person. The media have always reported about public figures, and in this case are doing what they’re supposed to–even if it is with a bit too much volume. Still, I haven’t read any news report that actually purports to blame Gov. Palin for this. Like it or not, however, one has to accept the fact that everything in the lives of public figures, especially politicians, is going to be scrutinized by the press. Why? Because the atmosphere which surrounds them at home does affect their activity and performance in office.
73. Representing the Word | 12.20.08
The only way to tar Sara with this is her obvious lack of parenting control over her children. That being said, teenage children are hard to influence. But I can hold her accountable for not educating her child about birth control. Why bring a child into this situation?
74. Rushbo | 12.20.08
Be patient. Wasilla is a small town, and the drug habits of Track Palin, her oldest son, the one who was shipped off to the military, Levi’s extracurricular activities, and so on, are all being investigated. We’ll see a story breaking in ‘09 that should open wide the eyes of even Sarah Palin’s most ardent supporters.
76. Jrlobo | 12.20.08
American justice is no more. An arrest, or even a threat of one, is now the liberal press standard of guilt. And then, the pretext for guilt by association stories and theories that only serve to reinforce the smallness of our minds. Wake up! The more the liberals and self-styled righteous bash Sarah Palin, the more likely she will be our next president! You will never learn. Keep up the good work!
77. ROD | 01.04.09
OMG- Hey stupid, The Gov. of Alaska controls a large amount of Americas Atomic assets. Who do you think is between your dumb a** AND Russia. Alaska Gov. sorta dosen’t count????? You better hope the Alaska Gov. counts. _ You are a moron.
79. Leishtek | 01.06.09
Felony charges? WOW! What was she trying to traffic/sell anyway? More details!
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. wanna-know | 12.19.08
is there any truth to the rumour that they will name the baby Target?