Bubba Stewart arrested again

Motocross star James "Bubba" Stewart's legal problems aren‘t over. Police on June 3 arrested Stewart and booked him into the Polk County, Fla., jail on a charge of impersonating a police officer. The arrest stems from a previously reported incident on March 28 when Stewart was arrested at the Orlando International Airport. According to police at the time, Stewart was driving a Toyota Tundra pickup when he pulled behind another vehicle and illuminated red and blue emergency lights, which he later said he had bought at a flea market.

Unfortunately for Stewart, the car he flashed the lights at contained off-duty police officers, who called for help. Though Stewart was arrested after he reached the airport, prosecutors did not file a charge. Stewart's case was transferred to Osceola County, where the felony charge was filed. Stewart was released on $1000 bail.

The latest arrest comes one week after an online motocross magazine reported that Stewart, 25,would face no charges from the incident, as “Florida prosecutors decided that there was not enough evidence against James Stewart to proceed with the case against him."

The 17-race Supercross season ended in May in Las Vegas, where Stewart crashed and was unable to continue due to an injured foot. He finished the season fourth in the standings.

Stewart has made few public comments regarding the incident. His personal web site acknowledged the original arrest, saying, “Stewart allegedly used his vehicle lights and red and blue lights to slow down a vehicle containing off-duty police officers that had passed his vehicle. Stewart was in street clothes and never exited his vehicle during the incident. No confrontation or exchange of words between the officers and Stewart occurred. Stewart was not charged with any dangerous driving or any other negative action. The police report is clear that once Stewart slowed the police officers' vehicle that he then drove towards the airport; several miles later, Stewart and his friend were pulled over at the airport where they fully cooperated with police."

“In James' words: ‘Thanks to all that are standing by me. I hope to resolve this incident quickly and show people that I am someone that upholds the law and someone they can respect as a competitor and as a person.'" AutoWeek