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PEOPLE has confirmed that Paul will avoid jail time following his March arrest for cocaine and marijuana possession, amid federal sex trafficking accusations against the hip-hop mogul. The 25-year-old has entered a drug diversion program.
"Brendan accepted the prosecutor's offer to enter the diversion program, which will result in the case being dismissed entirely upon completion," said Paul's attorney, Brian Bieber, in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. A representative for the Miami-Dade State Attorney noted that this is a "standard offer to a non-violent defendant with no priors," as reported by TMZ.
Paul, a former Syracuse University basketball player, was arrested on March 27 on felony charges of cocaine and marijuana possession. An affidavit obtained by PEOPLE detailed that he was apprehended at Opa-Locka airport by Miami-Dade police and Homeland Security agents, who also raided Combs' two homes that day. The affidavit claimed Paul was found with suspected cocaine and marijuana in his travel bags.
Previously, Paul was named in a civil sexual assault lawsuit filed by Combs' former producer and videographer, Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones, who alleged that Paul was Combs' "mule" responsible for "acquiring" and "distributing" his "drugs and guns." Despite the arrest, there appears to be no connection to the 54-year-old artist known for "I'll Be Missing You." Bieber stated on March 27, "We do not plan on trying this case in the media — all issues will be dealt with in court."
The Miami-Dade police department declined to comment on the matter.
In April, Paul faced felony charges for cocaine possession, but additional charges for marijuana-laced candy were dropped according to court documents. On April 24, Bieber entered a plea of not guilty on Paul's behalf during a brief hearing at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building in Miami, Fla.
"We will handle this case in the courtroom, not in the court of public opinion," Bieber reiterated in a statement to PEOPLE. A hearing scheduled for Friday, May 17, has since been canceled.
