Nicole Bobek Busted in NJ Meth Ring Investigation

Former United States figure skating champion Nicole Bobek has bailed out of jail after facing a judge in New Jersey via videolink Monday on the charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

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Authorities arrested Bobek in Florida and brought to New Jersey to answer to charges ob being involved with a meth ring that operated in northern New Jersey, according to reports.

"She played a significant role in this operation," said Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said. "She was actively involved in the upper echelon of this ring."

The investigation led to the arrests of more than a dozen people in June. Bobek's name was not released then because she hadn't been located and arrested until last week, according to an NJ.com report.

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AP Report: Former Skating Champ Bobek Charged in Meth Bust

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) -- Former U.S. figure skating champion Nicole Bobek has been charged with being part of a northern New Jersey drug ring.

The 31-year-old Bobek made her first court appearance Monday by video from the Hudson County Jail. Bobek, who has homes in New York and Jupiter, Florida, was arrested in Florida last week. She is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Hudson County.

Attorney Sam DeLuca entered a not guilty plea for Bobek. She was held on $200,000 bail and faces up to 10 years in prison if she's convicted. A telephone call to DeLuca's office rang unanswered Monday afternoon.

Prosecutor Edward DeFazio says 20 people have been arrested in connection with the ring.

Bobek won the women's U.S. figure skating title in 1995.

Her mother doubts the 1995 U.S. figure skating champion would do something illegal, but says if she did, it was because of the company she keeps.
Jana Bobek says her daughter likes to "party" and that she has a good heart that has been taken advantage of in the past.
If convicted, Nicole Bobek would face up to 10 years in prison.