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Former 'Idol' star arrested

Jessica Sierra was combative and had cocaine in her purse, police say.

By ALEXANDRA ZAYAS
Published April 30, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Hillsborough County Sheriff's Dept. booking photo] Sierra was released from jail at noon Sunday on $11,500 bond.

TAMPA - Former American Idol contestant Jessica Sierra was arrested early Sunday morning at the Hyde Park Cafe after she threw a cocktail glass at another patron's head, striking him above the eye, according to Tampa police.

When police arrested the 21-year-old singer, she was belligerent and uncooperative, police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said.

After she was placed in the squad car, officers had to threaten her with leg restraints, Davis said, because Sierra repeatedly kicked at the car windows so hard the officers thought they would break.

Police have not yet determined if Sierra knew the victim, Wisam Hadad, 28, of Tampa. Hadad declined medical transport for the cut over his eye.

When Sierra was transported to the Orient Road Jail, police reportedly found a small bag of cocaine in her purse.

She denied the cocaine was hers, according to her arrest report, but when asked, said that no one besides the police had possession of her purse that day.

She was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, possession of cocaine and introduction of contraband into a detention facility.

Sierra, who was released at noon Sunday on $11,500 bail, could not be reached for comment.

Her family referred comment to Sierra's manager, Nancy Eckert at Verge Management. As of Sunday night, Eckert had not issued any public comments on Sierra's behalf.

In 2005, Sierra finished in 10th place on American Idol.

The Tampa native started singing in church when she was 3. Her mother died, and Sierra was raised by her grandparents and father.

She attended Robinson High School for a year before transferring to D.W. Waters Career Center, a public school that offers career training. She studied cosmetology there, graduating at 17.

Sierra had worked as a nanny and performed on Star Search before she was picked as an Idol contestant in Las Vegas when she was 19.

The show turned her into a minor celebrity. In 2006, Daniel Robert Young, 61, was accused of stalking Sierra. He reportedly had been making harassing phone calls to her, sending her gifts and following her to her grandparents' South Tampa home.

Mental health issues delayed Young's case, and it remains open in Hillsborough County Court.

Sierra joined the Stalking Resource Center, a program of the National Center for Victims of Crime, to speak out against stalking.

In 2006 she recorded some songs in Nashville, but never released an album. She spent July 4 in Iraq, entertaining the troops.

In February of this year, WTVT-Ch. 13 reported that Sierra was working at Hooters as she waited for her singing career to take off. In the video, she signed autographs and sang for patrons.

Alexandra Zayas can be reached at 813 226-3354 or azayas@sptimes.com.

[Last modified April 29, 2007, 22:45:34]