Baltimore Ravens offensive line coach Andy Moeller was found guilty Monday of driving while impaired by alcohol and avoided jail time as he was sentenced to two years of supervised probation.
However, Moeller is expected to be disciplined by the NFL with a short suspension likely to be imposed under its personal conduct policy as well as a fine.
Moeller, 47, was sentenced to two years of supervised probation in Towson by a Baltimore County district judge, and all six other traffic offenses were dropped by the prosecution.
A 60-day jail sentence was suspended except for two days Moeller served last fall at a lockdown treatment facility, which was accepted as time served by the court. He must continue to not drink, subject to random drug testing and attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings twice per week and reports must be submitted to the court every two months.
"I take total responsibility for my actions and I’m committed to the programs the Ravens and others have afforded me," Moeller said in a statement. "I really appreciate the support the Ravens have given me."
There will be no travel restrictions related to the probation that will interfere with Moeller’s job, and his driver’s license wasn’t suspended or restricted. Letters from Ravens coach John Harbaugh and a doctor at an alcohol treatment facility were submitted to the court in support of Moeller.
"I’m very pleased with the outcome," attorney Andrew Alperstein told Ravens24x7.com. "Andy apologized to the judge and accepted full responsibility for his poor judgment. He has learned from his mistakes. He clearly feels badly about what has happened and is committed to his rehabilitation."
The Ravens’ assistant has been attending Alcoholics Anonymous twice per week and submitting to urinalysis. He hasn’t failed any tests, according to Alperstein.
"We support Andy as he continues his program," team president Dick Cass said.
The NFL is expected to suspend Moeller for as long as two games, but no decision has been rendered. Detroit Lions team president Tom Lewand was suspended for 30 days and fined $100,000 last season after being convicted of driving under the influence.
"It is being reviewed under the Personal Conduct Policy, which applies to all NFL employees," league spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail.
Moeller was pulled over near Greenspring Avenue on Sept. 18, 2010 by a state trooper for driving 70 mph in a 55
mph zone. The arresting officer detected a strong odor of alcohol and noticed him stumble during a field sobriety test, according to a police report.
That was Moeller’s third alcohol-related arrest during the past four years, including an acquittal of driving while under the influence and negligent driving last May 14 in Carroll County.
Moeller was sentenced to probation for driving while visibly impaired in Ann Arbor, Mich., in December of 2007.
Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti made it clear in January that Moeller’s employment will be terminated if there are any other alcohol-related incidents.
"He’s either going to get it under control, or he’s going to spend a lifetime in misery like other people that are affected by that," Bisciotti said. "So, we’re behind him as long as he earns that trust and continues to earn that trust. But he knows he’s one step away from not being a Raven, and then probably not being in the NFL at all."
Alperstein said that Moeller has passed 23 random alcohol tests, has attended 52 self-help meetings and met with a psychologist and a psychiatrist once weekly during the season and twice weekly since the end of January.
"Andy has been doing very well for a long time now," Alperstein said. "He’s committed to remaining on the right path and doing the right things. Now, he’ll wait to hear from the league."
