Ohio lawmaker Sedrick Denson goes through drug education program, will keep seat

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A state lawmaker from Cincinnati who faced a felony charge over a pill found in his vehicle has completed a drug education program, and the charge was reduced and dismissed Monday to resolve that matter.

An Adderall pill was found when a state trooper stopped Democratic Rep. Sedrick Denson on a Columbus-area highway late last month. The 31-year-old freshman lawmaker said he isn’t prescribed that stimulant and doesn’t use it.

Statement from Denson: "I take responsibility for creating this distraction and I apologize to my family and the people I represent." https://t.co/MYAsGkPsRn

— Jackie Borchardt (@JMBorchardt) April 15, 2019

Denson did acknowledge having wine hours before that traffic stop. He pleaded guilty in early April to a misdemeanor charge of controlling a vehicle while under the influence.

Dash cam video captured the exchange between an Ohio State trooper and State Rep. Sedrick Denson from Bond Hill after he was pulled over in Columbus Friday night for a suspected OVI.@Angenette5 has more on what Denson is saying following the arrest: https://t.co/oCMmi3uah6 pic.twitter.com/zJxPJMidGQ

— Local 12/WKRC-TV (@Local12) April 2, 2019

Denson apologized in a statement Monday, saying he takes responsibility “for creating this distraction” and is eager to continue his work.

A felony conviction would have cost him his House seat.