Jessica Sierra pleads not guilty, will remain in jail until Dec. 20 hearing

Jessica Sierra apparently better get used to being behind bars.


The former American Idol fourth-season finalist pleaded not guilty on Thursday morning in Hillsborough County Court to disorderly intoxication and resisting arrest without violence charges stemming from her arrest last Saturday morning, The Tampa Tribune reported.

Sierra's attorney John Fitzgibbons told Circuit Judge Daniel Perry that he currently denies the third charge -- violating parole -- against Sierra, however he added she "ultimately will not protest" it, according to The Tribune.  Perry set a hearing for December 20 and Sierra will remain in prison without bail on probation violation charges "at least" until that hearing, The Tribune reported.

Fitzgibbons also told Perry he wasn't prepared to directly address the charges against Sierra at Thursday morning's hearing, but still entered the not guilty plea on her behalf, The Tribune reported.

"Ultimately I think the criminal justice system wants people to get help," Fitzgibbons told The Tribune, adding he's currently planning with doctors to enter Sierra into a "comprehensive drug and alcohol program."


According to the report written by officers Christopher Cornelius and John Angelakopoulos, the officers were working an off-duty detail outside Ybor City's Full Moon Salon at about 2AM Saturday morning when they noticed a security guard kicking Sierra out of the establishment.

When the 22-year-old Tampa, FL resident tried to reenter through another door, Cornelius wrote Sierra was escorted out again before becoming combative.  Once on the street, Sierra began fighting with a friend trying to calm her down, according to the report.  The scene eventually escalated when Sierra began to scream profanities and also shoved several pedestrians walking on the sidewalk.

"Her violent behavior caused people to stop from walking in that area," Cornelius wrote in the report, adding when he and Angelakopoulos tried to restrain Sierra, she "pushed and pulled" in an attempt to escape.

After being placed in the back of a patrol car -- where she started vomiting and was determined by the officers to be intoxicated -- Sierra once again tried to make her escape when paramedics arrived and opened the door to try and help her, according to the report.  Angelakopoulos wrote Sierra "continued her disorderly tirade, screaming and yelling that her aunt is the mayor and that I would be out of a job."

While Liana Lopez -- spokeswoman for the mayor's officer -- confirmed to The Tribune that the niece of Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio's husband was once married to Sierra's father, she added Iorio has not spoken with Sierra in at least two years.


With all of her attempts at freedom proving to be unsuccessful, Sierra then allegedly sexually propositioned Angelakopoulos.

"As I began my transport to central booking, Ms. Sierra began to beg me not to take her to jail and that this would ruin her life," wrote Angelakopoulous in the report.  "She then told me that she would do anything for me to let her go. She then made the statement, 'Please don't take me to jail, I'll [perform oral sex] if you don't take me to jail."

After her overture proved ineffective, Sierra allegedly changed tactics and called Angelakopoulous the N-word several times, even though the officer is white, according to The Tribune.

"I continued my transport and she became irate and disorderly again and began to state, 'F**k you n***er' several times to me.  She then told me that by the time she was done with me, everyone is going to think that I an the biggest racist," wrote Angelakopoulous.  "As we pulled into central booking, she [then] started to vomit again the back seat of the car."

Because Sierra continued to be disorderly once she was taken to Orient Road Jail, she was placed in an isolation cell separate from other inmates.  She was denied bail Sunday and was told she could face up to 11 years in prison if convicted of violating probation.


Sierra was on probation stemming from an April arrest when she was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, possession of cocaine and introduction of contraband into a detention facility. Only two weeks ago, Sierra pleaded no contest to felony drug and battery charges and was sentenced to 12-months probation and random drug screening.

In addition,  she was also required to complete her drug-rehab after-care program -- which was filmed by VH1 for Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, a new reality series that will follow Loveline host David Drew "Dr. Drew" Pinsky as he chronicles the detoxification and treatment of several celebrities.






About The Author: Christopher Rocchio