Felicia "Snoop" Pearson was singled out in a recent drug raid because she played a dealer on "The Wire," according to her rep.
"Felicia grew up where high crime rates, drug use and violence are the norm. Felicia has overcome numerous hardships in her lifetime. She does not expect these hardships to be used as an excuse for illegal activities," read a statement issued Friday. "Felicia has made strong statements against drugs and violence of any kind ... [and has] been recognized for her efforts in encouraging youth and formerly incarcerated women to make positive changes for themselves," her rep adds.
Pearson played a drug dealer and assassin on the HBO show. She was arrested along with more than 60 other people in Thursday's raid in Baltimore.
"Wire" creator David Simon blogged on Slate.com that he was saddened by the news of her arrest, and "from her earliest moments, had one of the hardest lives imaginable." Simon went on to write that he will be reserving judgment in the matter. "In truth, there are now two Americas, politically and economically distinct. I, for one, do not qualify as a peer to Felicia Pearson. The opportunities and experiences of her life do not correspond in any way with my own, and her America is different from my own. I am therefore ill-equipped to be her judge in this matter."