American Idol’s Jessica Sierra Claims Innocence

By: Shannon Gossage

Sierra, 22, was arrested December 1 at a Tampa nightclub after a drunken confrontation with police. She was reportedly charged with disorderly intoxication, resisting arrest and violating conditions of her parole on felony battery and drug possession charges in an earlier case. When she was being placed under arrest, Sierra reportedly tried to escape from the police. According to the police report, "As the defendant was taken into custody, she attempted to push away and flee the scene." After being placed in the back of the police car Sierra reportedly vomited. She also allegedly offered oral sex to the arresting officer if he would let her go. When the officer refused her offer she reportedly called him a homosexual. Sierra pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail. She will reportedly remain in jail until her next hearing on December 20.

The latest bust-up came a mere two weeks after she pleaded no contest to charges that she hit a man on the head with a glass in a barroom altercation in April. Sierra reportedly threw a heavy cocktail glass at a fellow patron’s head at Tampa’s Hyde Park Café. Police reportedly discovered a small amount of cocaine on her person after she was taken into custody. On November 19 she was sentenced to 12 months probation and random drug screening. John Fitzgibbons, Sierra’s attorney, said Thursday that he was working with medical professionals on a treatment program for the troubled singer.

Sierra is also set to appear on a new reality series Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. The VH1 series will premier on January 10 and will be hosted by Dr. Drew Pinsky of Loveline fame. The show will feature nine participants, including Sierra. The other "celebrities" reportedly include Tom Sizemore, Joanie Lauer a.k.a Chyna, and Andy Dick.