Friday, June 10, 2005

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Musician arrested again

By LEE WILLIAMS
lwilliams@TheCitizenNews.com

R&B producer and songwriter Manuel Seal Jr. had another run-in with police early Thursday that landed him back behind bars at the Fayette County Jail.

Four months ago, Seal who is known for writing megahits for Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Usher and Mary J. Blige, and a Jonesboro man were arrested for theft by Fayetteville police.

But this time, it wasn’t stolen merchandise that landed the 44-year-old Fayetteville musician into trouble. It was his erratic driving behavior, authorities said.

A Fayetteville police officer spotted Seal, the driver of a black 2000 Toyota Tundra, drifting into another lane of traffic, at 2 a.m. at Grady Avenue and Beauregard Court and initiated a traffic stop.

The officer ran a check of Seal’s driver’s license and found out that it was suspended, according to Fayetteville police.

Sporting a new cropped do and his signature ample beard, Seal was hauled off to jail on charges of failure to maintain lane and driving on a suspended license, police said. He was released the same day after posting a $1,650 bond, Fayette County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Lt. Belinda McCastle said.

His arrest comes just four months after Seal and 21-year-old Wendale Baxton were arrested by Fayetteville police for allegedly stealing two scrap tires from Fayette Tire in Fayetteville on Feb. 1.

According to police reports, Fayette County Sheriff’s Investigator Kris Purkey allegedly observed the men load two scrap tires, valued at $100, into Seal’s red Jeep Cherokee and called the police.

When questioned, Seal allegedly told police that a man named “Larry,” gave him permission to take the tires. However, the owner, Donald Thomas, reportedly confirmed that no one named Larry worked at the store.

Both men have maintained their innocence. The trial for the theft case is expected to be held July 18 at the Fayette County Courthouse.