Iowa football: Derrell Johnson-Koulianos arrested on drug charges
Derrell Anthony Johnson-Koulianos
The University of Iowa’s all-time receiving leader was arrested Tuesday on numerous drug-related charges.
According to Iowa City criminal complaints, police found marijuana, cocaine and prescription drugs inside Derrell Johnson-Koulianos’ residence during a search Tuesday afternoon. Police said Johnson-Koulianos admitted to using the drugs and a urine test indicated a presence of drugs in his urine. Johnson-Koulianos also allegedly had electronic media showing him in possession of drugs.
Coach Kirk Ferentz acted quickly when news of Johnson-Koulianos’ arrest reached him.
“I am highly disappointed to learn of the charges,” Ferentz said in a statement. “Derrell has been suspended from all team activities.”
Johnson-Koulianos holds the school career records for receptions (173) and receiving yards (2,616). He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection as a senior after catching 46 passes for 745 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Johnson-Koulianos did not start the regular-season finale at Minnesota, but he scored a pair of touchdowns. He needed one touchdown reception to tie the school single-season record.
Brady Cooper Johnson
Johnson-Koulianos spoke to reporters in August at Iowa’s media day, but he was barred from interviews after that. Ferentz lifted the ban in October after Johnson-Koulianos broke the school record for receiving yards, but Johnson-Koulianos declined.
According to police documents, Iowa City Police Street Crimes investigators were conducting a drug investigation on Johnson-Koulianos’ roommate, 21-year-old Brady Cooper Johnson. Police served a search warrant at the residence they shared at 1128 E. Washington St. at 1:50 p.m. Inside, officers allegedly found marijuana, over $3,000 cash, a digital scale and other items used in the sale of drugs.
Police said they found cocaine, small quantities of marijuana and pamoate, diazepam, hydromorphone hydrochloride and zolpidem tartrate pills in Johnson-Koulianos’ bedroom. Pamoate is one of the two formations of hydroxyzine, an antihistamine used to treat mild anxiety, insomnia, motion-sickness, itching and allergies and is known as an effective sedative and tranquilizer. Diazepam is used to treat anxiety, insomnia and seizures. Hydromorphone hydrochloride is a narcotic analgesic which Johnson-Koulianos allegedly told officers he takes to help with pain, according to police. Zolpidem tartrate is used to treat insomnia.
Johnson-Koulianos did not have a prescription for the various drugs.
Police said Johnson-Koulianos admitted to smoking marijuana and said he smoked within a day of his arrest. Johnson-Koulianos also admitted to using cocaine and the prescription pills, police said. Johnson-Koulianos said he “gets (the pills) from friends,” according to the criminal complaint.
Police said Johnson-Koulianos “admitted he knew drugs were being used and likely sold out of the residence.”
Brady Johnson has a previous drug conviction from 2009, according to police.
Johnson-Koulianos has been charged with four counts of possession of a controlled substance, two counts of unlawful possession of prescription drugs and keeping a drug house. The six possession charges are serious misdemeanors, which each carry a potential sentence of one year in prison. Keeping a drug house is an aggravated misdemeanor, which carries a potential sentence of two years in prison.
Brady Johnson has been charged with possession of a controlled substance – second offense, an aggravated misdemeanor; controlled substance violation, a class D felony; keeping a drug house and unlawful possession of a prescription drug.
Johnson County Jail officials said Johnson-Koulianos posted an $8,000 prior to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Johnson remains in custody on a $10,000 bond.
Johnson-Koulianos and his Iowa City attorney John Beasley did not return messages seeking comment Tuesday night.
Category: Iowa Hawkeyes Football
What a sad, disappointing and disgraceful ending to an otherwise brilliant career as a Hawkeye. Unfortunately, this is what DJK will be remembered for. What a shame.
Report this comment
Really, this is about all that needs to be said. But many crazed fans go off the deep end, as you can see from the posts.
Report this comment
[...] have a question here. Things like this do not happen overnight. How long has this been going on? Iowa football: Derrell Johnson-Koulianos arrested on drug charges | Hawk Central This article has a lot more info. It looks like his roommate was the one selling, but DJK admitted [...]
Report this comment
People can hide their activities for a long time if they wish to. His neighbors had no idea so why would his coach or teammates? They can’t put spy cams in their houses. But I still am going to wait till it plays out in a court of law.
Report this comment
IDIOT!!!
Report this comment
Hopefully the coaching staff will use this as an opportunity to identify any possible similar behavior by other team members, which might explain their end-of-the-year performance.
Report this comment
This has *nothing* to do with the end of the year performance.
Report this comment
Are you crazy that this doesnt do anything to the end of the year performance? He could drag a handful of players down with him and its a big hit to the Hawks Offense and mind set. You obviously have never played sports.
Report this comment
Here we go again …
A few years ago, Iowa was on the verge of “something special” and things imploded on the field and then off.
How in the hell did the football staff — didn’t we hire a former player as a mentor or something — not now DJK’s roommate had a rap sheet?? You would think that would be the ONE guy the football staff would have a close eye on.
As for DJK, he came in with question marks and he just proves the question marks were right. No sympathy for him and, obviously, he shouldn’t play in the bowl game.
I think we all have an idea why this season went south .. this was our one our senior leaders!
Report this comment
Try II
We hired someone to mentor the players. But he’s not allowed to babysit DJK 24/7. It doesn’t matter if he was living with Brady or not. If DJK wants to do drugs, he will do them.
Report this comment
It’s not the football team or coaches fault. DJK made decisions on his own.
Report this comment
I fully blame DJK here but my point was we have a guy on staff whose job it is to help the football players off the field.
Since DJK has been in and out of the dog house a few times, you think that guy and the coaches would want to know who DJK — the best receiver on the team — is leaving with.
You know there are cops/lawyers etc. who would’ve notified Iowa football that, “Hey, DJK’s roommate just got arrested last nite. Might want to ask DJK whats going on.”
Report this comment
I agree with you man, why the hell is he living with a convicted drug dealer in the first place? Brady got busted once so chances are he’ll get busted again. Especially if he’s still dealing. If you’re going to do that crap then at least have a roommate that isn’t dealing. As for the part about not being able to watch him 24/7, that’s true but at least you can do something knowing he’s living with someone with a drug conviction.
Report this comment
DJK is 23 years old. It’s hard to believe certain adults need a babysitter.
Report this comment
I agree with the bowl game comment. BUT!!! The coaches have lives and families. They have a certain amount of responsibitity but they can only do so much. They dont check arrest records. And for your last sentence it doesnt make any sense. And for the season going south it is because we QUIT!!!
Report this comment
Yes, idiot. But so very sad, from a kid who rose from the streets due to a mom who abandoned him because she was addicted to drugs. I’m sad for him, disappointed, sad for the team, sad for the Iowa fans and lastly sad for the wonderful family who adopted him and raised him. He was on the precipice of ending a great career and heading for the NFL. Who knows where he is headed now.
Cyclone fans and other Hawk haters will bring out their thug comments, which is about all they have considering their own pitiful programs. But if they do, that’s a low blow but no surprise. You can’t blame Kirk or the Iowa staff. You don’t know what’s inside someone’s house or room.
What I’m curious about was why was he barred from making comments in interviews during most of the season. Am I missing something here?
Report this comment
You are the typical hawk fan hypocrite. Living in Central Iowa, I have seen your posts on issues that Iowa State has had. But if people comment on the troubles of the hawkies, you get your underware in a bunch. If you can’t take it, don’t dish it out.
I cannot wait until my Huskers come rolling into Iowa City. Get used to 6th place finishes in the Big 10.
Report this comment
What I like best: Nebraska fans trolling ALL Iowa websites.
Report this comment
I agree with you on this one. You play in the big twelve. Iowa State might be a cake walk but this is the big ten and you are playing Iowa not so easy. I wont get my underware in a bunch and I will dish it out!!
Report this comment
[...] he takes to help with pain, according to police. Zolpidem tartrate is used to treat insomnia. Iowa football: Derrell Johnson-Koulianos arrested on drug charges | Hawk Central A regular friggin' pharmacy. And, sounds like his roomie is a real winner. Why would anyone with [...]
Report this comment
[...] WR DJK ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS OF DRUG CHARGES.. Iowa football: Derrell Johnson-Koulianos arrested on drug charges | Hawk Central Reply With Quote + Reply to Thread « Previous [...]
Report this comment
The Sixth Ammendment of the Consitution reads in part:
“In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, (more)….”
I am all in favor of DJK getting said speedy trial no later than Dec 28th, in order that he may find new accomodations outside of the Iowa City area, preferably at the correctional facility known as the State Prison at Fort Madison!
No Drug rehab for you baby. What you did to the 2010 UI football program is criminal in more ways than drug abuse…and if it is discovered that you were the supplier to any other Iowa FB player(s) they should just throw away the key & give you life.
If there was rampant drug use on the FB team, it would explain the multiple 4th qtr swan dives by the team.
Report this comment
Wow. You should take a breather and get out of your mom’s basement for some fresh air. Everyone makes mistakes. There are a lot more guys that need to be in jail ahead of this guy. Part of the problem in this country comes from people like you who think that jail time will fix someone’s drug problem.
Report this comment
I don’t think he is thinking that jail time will fix someone’s drug problem. What he is thinking (and rightly so) is that jail time will keep him off the street thus no longer able to continue using and selling drugs.
Report this comment
prolly the dumbest thing ive ever heard. 90% of people who sit in jail end up repeat offending, jail time doesnt do crap, if anything just makes them more mad. this is suppose to be a free country an yes there are laws all should abide by, but alot of the people who are sittin in jail rite now or have been there have been wrongly accused or just dumb cops tryin to make qutoas. cops dont care if they do sumthin wrong but if sumone else does its done, jail.! F-that, all cops are dirty in sum way. if u havent realized that then ur 12 an u have never done anything that could possibly get u in trouble
Report this comment
hawkNspit, do you realize you just said the above person isn’t thinking jail time will fix djk’s drug problem, instead thinking jail time would keep djk off drugs? that’s like saying “i don’t take my coffee black, i take my coffee black.”
it sounds like you’re all scapegoating djk for the way the entire football team collapsed over the season. the season was frustrating for all fans, but to suggest djk was the entire cause of the problem is just stupid. seriously, don’t be so stupid.
Report this comment
First of all I agree with you on the fact that there are worse people that should be in jail. But you need to get off the crack pipe if you think he doesnt need to go to jail. Yes people do make mistakes but someone who “made a mistake” and possibly supplied drugs to young kids or at least other adults is more than a mistake. What do you think would be a good punishment playing in the bowl game. It would seem so.
Report this comment
Too many Iowans place their hearts and souls in supporting their favorite collegiate team to have the actions of a few ruin the recipe for success
I feel that if there is ONE ROTTEN APPLE in the barrel, there are probably more. The question should be, is DJK supplying to other Iowa athletes? With a DEALER as DJK’s roommate it tends to create a question that needs to be answered by the Iowa athletic community.
I don’t believe that the “Lohan revolving door method of drug-rehab” works. Maybe you get one shot, next time serve the time. But if one is dealing to college athletes, even as an intermediary, then a room awaits you at Fort Madison… & throw away the key.
Now the question Iowa Athletics must address is how clean is the program…Should KF be lining up the cups, and in order for a player to get their ticket punched to play in Tempe they must pass a drug test? I don’t know. I don’t know.
Report this comment
Is there not also something about innocent until proven guilty? If all true, the saddest aspect is that he’s let down his teammates, esp. those he’s played with for 4 years. As for your judgmental approach, I bet you consider yourself a “good” Christian, don’t you?
Report this comment
He’s admitted to it.
Report this comment
Seedyrancid I bet you consider yourself as a “perfect” Christian. He was caught with the drugs in his house are you saying maybe he didnt know they were there. Go back to church!!!! And what does christiantity have to do with the situation. Stick to something you know about like the bible!!!
Report this comment
Hey man, don’t convict him before he has a trial. There hasn’t been any testimony. Do you just want to see him do time because he was as star who has fallen from grace….down to your level. It is ignorant to suggest drugs caused Iowa’s losses. It was just bad defense and a lot of injuries at linebacker didn’t help. This is America. Wait till there has been evidence or move to Iran.
Report this comment
Well hes had a trial and OMG! Hes guilty. Im moving to Iran!
Report this comment
Nothing worse in life than wasted talent!!! DJK if you read this I hope you are smart enough to figure it out
Report this comment
too late dude
Report this comment
I feel especially bad for the Koulianos’. They took in DJK with open arms and gave him a second chance in life. They were at every Iowa game I attended – ALL wearing their #15 jersey’s.
Report this comment
Boy, is something rotten in Kinnick, or what ?!! Iowa ought to decline the invite to Arizona. Can’t get much lower than this.Wonder if Iowa will sell any season tickets for next season.
Report this comment
Actually I would say things were much lower when 2 players were accused of raping a girl. Of course we had a good season then so no one seemed to care.
Report this comment
Pierce pled guilty to rape and he was on the floor within a few days playing ISU. Ridiculous.
Report this comment
Questions to be asked:
1. How long has this been known by any of the coaching staff or anyone else associated with the athletic department?
2. Who may have known?
There needs to a full investigation by an outside entity that has no ties to the Iowa athletic department!!!!!!
If evidence is found that anyone on the staff was aware and did nothing hoping it wouldn’t be found out until the season was over there should be severe penalty’s….Can you say the proverbial “Death Penalty”…If the shoe fits, wear it…
Report this comment
I do agree an independent investigation needs to be done but you can not solely blame the coaching staff for this. Coaches can not police the players 24/7. In China yes but not here. I believe that Ferentz, eventhough I don’t like his coaching style, understands that the recruits are also young students and that the recruits are responsible for their actions and behavior outside of football.
Report this comment
Sigh….This is going to get uglier, I’m afraid. With DJK as the supplier, the police are going to be reeling in his customers. Wonder who else on the team will be implicated?
It’s difficult to put to words how stupid this is. Hope he learns and grows from this, because if he doesn’t it will be a lifetime of pain and regret for him.
Report this comment
Don’t jump the gun, Sioux Hawk. He hasn’t been accused of being a supplier or dealer, just using it and having it in his room. From the story, the scales and cash were in the other guy’s room.
Report this comment
Well the bad thing is he has now been convicted and Adrian Clayborn used to be his roomate so I hope if he was involved or any other player DJK doesnt role on them
Report this comment
ok seriously calm down everyone. DJK is a great receiver and for those who think he should be thrown away, well ur stupid. without DJK iowa doesnt have a top tier receiver and no passing game what so ever. mcnutt is decent but very innconsistent. he made a mistake, cry about it. last i checked everyone makes mistakes. Agreed he shouldnt play in the bowl game but dont go trash talkin in him like your any better. DJK u have my full support, u made a mistake oh well it happens. Keep strong buddy.
Report this comment
a mistake is trying drugs – selling drugs to other kids is criminal
Report this comment
Made a mistake? HE WAS SELLING DRUGS!! I am better. I have a full time job a kid on the way and a great wife and I did all that without selling drugs or doing anything illegal. I agree he was a great reciever but he changed that when he became a criminal. Who cares what he did for Iowa.
Report this comment
Why… ?
Report this comment
South Des Moines Little League had a big sign painted on the outfield wall: “Boy in sports stay out of courts.”
HA!
The U of Iowa should just re-name it’s football team the Iowa BLACKeyes. How many black eyes will the University allow its 3 million dollar coach to give it? You CAN recruit people with character.
At the very least, Ferentz didn’t give his usual lameoid explanation which usually goes somethng like: ‘I am aware of this alleged incident and consider it to be a serious situation. Based on what I know to this point, I think it is best to let due process run its course before coming to any judgment.’
As someone who abhors the Iowa football program, I will steal a line from Zipper mouth Zable: “I love it, I love it, I love it!”
Report this comment
Joe;
Carry a grudge much? Let it go. So you got cut as the Hawkeye water boy. Move on dude.
Report this comment
If everything doesn’t fit into a round or square hole nice and neat Joe is utterly confused,
Report this comment
Johnson-Koulianos said he “get (the pills) from friends,” according to the criminal complaint.
That’s either just ANOTHER Register typo (“get” should be gets or got) or proof that this fuh-bawl playa didn’t spend a lot of time in English classes.
Report this comment
I believe you meant “in English class” or “his English classes.” Of course, it isn’t even English you’re quibbling about, it’s grammar. Best wishes.
Report this comment
Doug I like it I’ve heard some of Joe’s comments and this cements his stupidity.
Report this comment
Dk;
You just dropped from the 2nd round to free agent in next years NFL draft. I hope it wa worth it.
Report this comment
What surprises me is how surprised everyone is! I mean we are talking hawkeye sports here aren’t we. And the judge must of been an Iowa grad of course – $3000 in cash, maryjane, cocain, scales,etc and bail at $8000 – if he needed to post only 10%?????? Boy they are really sending him a message he done wrong – oh wait it is hawkeye sports we are talking about here aren’t we.
Report this comment
He just blew getting drafted
Report this comment
Nah, Cincinnatti still has a team, right?
Report this comment
So does Dallas ;-)
Report this comment
Perhaps this explains the streaky nature of Iowa’s football season — highs and lows, both quite literally. A pity, too; his career and those of many of his classmates just went into the toilet.
Report this comment
DJK just said good-bye to a NFL career. With their policies not many teams will take a chance on a self confessed user. This is not what the program needed right now. The Big 10 network just aired a wonderful piece on Julian Vandervelde which is truly what Iowa is about, too bad it will be over-shadowed by this event.
Report this comment
He needs to see what drugs do to your career just come to Arkansas an see Matt Jones playing recreation league ball.
Report this comment
To put this on the coaching staff is completely asinine. Yes, programs have a responsibility to establish proper behavior guidelines and promote good citizenship, etc., but in the end the coaches can’t police every single player 24/7. Ultimately, it boils down to personal character and accountability. Anyone even remotely associated with the Iowa program can see that this coaching staff cares about player development on an off the field. DJK was pointed in the right direction, both by the program and his (I’m sure heartbroken) parents, and chose to veer off. He made a terrible choice now must pay the price. Hopefully, he’ll be a better man in the end.
Report this comment
Interesting reading, the above tirades and opinions. Take a deep breath and try to think. The charges against DJK were all misdemeanors. Looks like all were 1st offenses. Even a recent Iowa law school grad can keep him out of prison.
I especially get a kick out of the comments about how this might explain 4th quarter/end of season collapse(s). Maybe the use of drugs could have prevented late game failings. And oh, the outrage of a Hawkeye football player using drugs!! Not here in River City. How many drug users do you think there are in Iowa City/Coralville? Many more than you can keep track of. Maybe you think Coach Ferentz keeps track of them all.
And how about the folks writing in about how DJK is supplying other football players with drugs? How do you come up with that? Looks like the cops have it as simple possession, no intent to deliver. More than likely he’s a recreational drug user. Maybe many of you think he’d be the only one in the NFL. Of course, that doesn’t make it right, but it happens. He’s gone from the team. Time to move on, let the legal system handle it.
Report this comment
I agree. Who came up with the idea he was selling at all let alone to the rest of the team? I think it was Brady doing the selling.
Report this comment
dancing bull, I take it by reading your comments you think what he did was OK.
If you do you are as big a fool as he is.
Report this comment
It is definitely not OK. The one’s who are the fools are those who speculate that DJK was the team drug dealer. Also fools: those who think that DJK’s punishment should be disproportionate to the crime. You are more likely to see him on an NFL roster than in a prison. I’m not condoning what he did, just being realistic.
Give the rest of the team more credit or blame for their performance on the field this year. DJK will have to endure the consequences for his actions. The team will play a game in 3 weeks without him. Probably won’t have that much effect on the outcome.
Report this comment
is his roommate wearing eye shadow? I guess that would make sense.
Report this comment
No, I think he just finished crying after realizing it’s strike two for him and he’ll probably be made to wear it in prison.
Report this comment
[...] being taken in by police for several counts of drug possession, Derrell Johnson-Koulianos admitted drug usage to the police. He told them that he had used all the things found in his room which [...]
Report this comment
What gets me is that he agreed to room with or continue to room with Brady Cooper Johnson. That schmuck had a conviction in 2009. Why if you’re DJK do you want to room with someone who’s shown to be a lightning rod for drug convictions. …On top of that he f-king knew drugs were being sold out of the house. It sounds like we hired someone to mentor the players. Where was that guy? Maybe he can’t watch him 24/7 but jeez couldn’t he have said “You know maybe it isn’t such a good idea to room with someone who has a previous drug conviction” or “Drugs are bad mmmmkay”.
Report this comment
For what these coaches make they need to take responsibility for these kids and require all of them on scholarship to submit to drug tests during the season. There has been too much history with U of I for the coaches not to know something goes on.
Report this comment
Coach Kirk Ferentz acted quickly when news of Johnson-Koulianos’ arrest reached him. “I am highly disappointed to learn of the charges,” Ferentz said in a statement. “Derrell has been suspended from all team activities.”
Hell yes he is highly disappointed to learn of the CHARGES – he already knew he was a druggie he is just upset he got caught.
Report this comment
I’ve been a harsh critic of the coaching staff but there is no way you can blame this on Ferentz and his crew. DJK needs to spend about a year in Johnson County Jail (D Block) and then straight to rehab. He needs to learn to appreciate the good things in life and He needs to do it the hard way. It’s a shame but it is what is. It could be child hood trauma who knows whats going on in his head. Let this be a lesson to everyone else on the team. Good luck and keep your head up DJK!
Report this comment
[...] [...]
Report this comment
Maybe the University should build a dorm strictly for the athletes instead of a 20 million $ indoor practice field instead of letting them live on their own. I feel no sorrow for DJK, he must be a moron with all the opportunities he had ahead of him to be using(which he admitted to). maybe all the players should be tested the way they ended the season they played like they were on drugs.
Report this comment
You can’t lock up the players to keep them out of trouble. But drug testing….maybe.
Report this comment
Yeah, I wonder if they have a random drug test policy and if they enforce it?
Report this comment
If they do, that might explain the cause of some of the mysterious suspensions…
Report this comment
I’ll just say this. This type of situation is far more common than is generally exposed in college athletics. I do not know why the Iowa City PD likes to put Iowa athletics in the spotlight for, God forbid, athletes smoking pot, apparently they have not received their payoff like most other schools and the corresponding programs. Clearly, one can smoke weed and take valiums to go to bed and still basically be a stud on the field. I think DJK proved that. Granted, he could have been far more low profile than rooming with a drug dealer. That was by far, his worst judgement call. But seriously, this is not an Iowa City issue. You really think these studs in all these other programs are just on the straight and narrow, i do not think so. their local police may just look the other way for the sake of winning. apparently, the jack boots in iowa city just get off on busting high profile athletes to bring them “positive PR”. putting people in prison for doing/selling drugs solves nothing and is the main reason we are the imprisoned/incarcerated “free country” in the world. this is obvious by the continued ease of availability to anybody who cares to look for so called “drugs”.
Report this comment
You are who you hang with. I would suggest the drug use is a combination of a scarred childhood and choosing friends and a room-mate poorly. It is a shame with so much to lose that he risked his future with said behavior. I feel sorry for him, but in the end, it was his choice. If he chooses, he can disassociate himself the the drug crowd and try to turn the corner with better decision making in the future. I wish him luck.
Report this comment
this is a poor reflection on the Iowa program and the coaching staff. The University and the coaching staff have invested a lot of time and money into djk’s education and athletics. if an assisant coach or ferentz himself needs to stop by unannounced once a month then thats what needs to happen. most of these coaches played football and they know what goes on, they arent stupid. my college coach would show up unannounced , walk in, take our beer, and not say one word. he would also make very sure we learned our lesson. if we didnt like it we could find somewhere else to f-off. as far as letting djk room with a drug offender, that is the coaching staffs problem. when they are giving a student-athlete tens of thousands of dollars of education each year in my opinion they own his tail and they need to know who he is living with on or off campus
Report this comment