'Wire' actress released on bail to film movie

'Snoop' Pearson to be on electronic monitoring

Actress Felicia "Snoop" Pearson, indicted last month as a co-conspirator in a drug ring, will be released from the city jail on electronic monitoring so she can travel to Philadelphia to film a movie.

Pearson, 30, who had troubles with the law before gaining fame for her role on HBO's "The Wire," was among more than 60 people charged in a drug conspiracy case and had been held without bond. Her initial attorney, entertainment lawyer Paul Gardner, launched a "Free Snoop" campaign on YouTube, and later was replaced with attorney Benjamin C. Sutley.

Sutley said he negotiated with prosecutors into the night Thursday, and Pearson — who denies the charges — will be released wearing an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet. She has approval to travel out of state to participate in the filming of the movie.

"We had a lot of discussions, but mostly it was just about legitimizing that, if she gets out, she'll be working and she's not a flight risk," Sutley said. "We were able to get her before Judge [John Addison] Howard, and he agreed."

Pearson is charged with helping bankroll a heroin operation in the city in a case that involves wiretaps, according to prosecutors. Of the defendants charged in state courts in the case, many were released on bail ranging from $25,000 to $250,000.

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