Ex-Dodger, Businessman Arrested on Cocaine Charges

A former professional baseball player and a 27-year-old man have been arrested on cocaine possession charges by undercover narcotics officers, who seized $200,000 worth of the drug at a Huntington Beach residence, authorities said Saturday.

William Paul Sudakis, 39, of Huntington Beach, a former player with the Los Angeles Dodgers, California Angels and several other ball clubs, was arrested Friday evening, along with Theodore Earl Turina, who listed the same Huntington Beach address.

Both are being held in Orange County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail each.

Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Tom Conner said that Sudakis was armed at the time of the arrest and that a second weapon was seized. Conner said authorities plan to pursue charges for possession of handguns.

On Thursday, sheriff’s undercover officers purchased one ounce of cocaine for $1,700, using county funds, from Turina at his business, Majestic Advertising, 15623 Brookhurst St., Westminster, where Sudakis also works, Conner said.

The narcotics officers then made a deal to buy more cocaine the following day, Conner said. On Friday, assisted by Huntington Beach police, the officers seized 1 kilogram, or 2.2 pounds, of pure cocaine from Turina and Sudakis at a private residence.

Sudakis was armed with a 9-millimeter automatic handgun and a .38-caliber handgun was recovered from Turina’s briefcase, Conner said. No shots were fired.

Baseball record books show that Sudakis, born in Joliet, Ill., played for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1968 to 1971 as a third baseman and part-time catcher. He also played briefly for the New York Mets in the National League and the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians in the American League.

He left baseball after playing 30 games with the California Angels in 1975, according to the record books. His lifetime batting average was .234.