09/06/07

Tampa, Florida - During a deposition hearing in Tampa court Wednesday morning, the attorney for former American Idol contestant Jessica Sierra claimed his client has entered a rehabilitation facility in California. 

The former American Idol finalist has had her share of troubles since being voted off the show during the fourth season. 

In 2006, Tampa Police arrested a man accused of stalking Sierra. Earlier this year, she was arrested after being accused of throwing and hitting a man with a cocktail glass at a south Tampa bar. As Sierra was being booked into the Hillsborough County Jail, detention deputies say they found cocaine in her purse. 

She later pleaded not guilty to drug and battery charges and was due in Hillsborough County Court today for a status hearing on those charges. 

Sierra's attorney, John Fitzgibbons says his client is in a California rehab facility getting treatment.

[ Open Letter to Jessica Sierra ]

Jessica Sierra

Jessica Sierra Arrested Again

Jessica Sierra, one of the finalists of the American Idols’s fourth season, was arrested on Saturday night, after an incident in the Full Moon Station in Florida. 
According to the police, Jessica Sierra was charged with disorderly intoxication, obstructing or opposing an officer, possession of cocaine and felony battery. The police said she attempted to flee the scene after being arrested. Jessica Sierra is currently held in the Orient Road Jail. 

On November 19, she has been sentenced to 12 months probation for possessing cocaine and battery. 

Both charges were the result of an April 29 incident at South Tampa's Hyde Park Cafe, when Sierra reportedly threw a cocktail glass at a male patron, causing a cut above his eye. A civil lawsuit is still pending.

The judge also ordered Sierra, 22, to submit to random drug screening. Sierra, whose rehabilitation experience has been captured on VH1's "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew," pleaded no contest to the charges. "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" will debut on VH1 on January 10, 2008.

The American Idol Showstoppers album features her single "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and has been certified Gold by the RIAA. 

In early 2007 Jessica Sierra launched the single "Unbroken” for the compilation CD titled Four Star Hits released by Sony/BMG.

[ Open Letter to Jessica Sierra ]

Jessica Sierra disinvited to sing in concert 

12/09/07

TAMPA, Fla. - The organizer of a concert billed as a holiday tribute to U.S. troops said Sunday that former "American Idol" finalist Jessica Sierra was disinvited from performing after her recent arrest. 

But even if Sierra wanted to sing at the event Friday in Washington, she couldn't.

The 22-year-old is being held without bail at the Hillsborough County jail in Tampa on charges of disorderly intoxication and resisting arrest. She is to remain there at least until her next hearing, scheduled Dec. 20.

"While we appreciate Ms. Sierra's past efforts to support U.S. troops, including performing for them in Iraq on Independence Day, it is quite obvious that Ms. Sierra needs to devote a great deal of time to putting her life back together," Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Buzz Patterson said in a statement released Friday.

In a brief phone interview Sunday, Patterson said patrons of MoveAmericaForward.org, which is coordinating the concert, were concerned about Sierra's participation in the event.

Sierra's attorney, John Fitzgibbons, declined to comment Sunday.

Sierra was taken into custody Dec. 1 after a fracas with Tampa police officers outside a nightclub.

The Tampa native was a finalist on "American Idol" in 2005. She entered a California rehab facility in July that was to be documented on VH1's reality show "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew" next year.

[ Open Letter to Jessica Sierra ]

Jessica Sierra sentenced to rehab, probation 

Tue Jan 8, 2008

TAMPA, Fla. - A judge is sending Jessica Sierra to rehab. The former "American Idol" contestant was sentenced Monday to a yearlong stint at a California rehabilitation clinic and three years' probation. 

Sierra, 22, was arrested last month for disorderly intoxication and resisting officers. She remained jailed Tuesday in Tampa.

In July, she entered a California rehab facility that was to be documented on the VH1 reality show "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew," hosted by Dr. Drew Pinsky.

Circuit Judge Daniel Perry said he didn't want the sentence to be another screen test for Sierra.

Perry said he doesn't "want anybody glamorizing the fact that she's a drug addict."

[ Open Letter to Jessica Sierra ]