‘El Wingador,’ Philly eating champ, busted for cocaine

The man who put Philadelphia on the map in the world of competitive eating has allegedly been caught up in another compulsive habit: cocaine dealing.

William “Bill” Simmons, 50, who at one point earlier last decade had won four straight Wing Bowls, was pulled over Friday in Harrison Township, N.J., and busted for allegedly possessing a large quantity of powder cocaine, according to a release by the N.J. state police this afternoon.

More details from the press release:

New Jersey State Police detectives arrested William T. Simmons, 50, of Woodbury Heights on Friday evening, June 15, for drug distribution. Troopers stopped Simmons in Harrison Township as he was driving his 2010 Kia Soul. A search of Simmons and his vehicle uncovered approximately $8,000 worth of powdered cocaine and more than $4,000 in cash.

Immediately following the arrest, troopers and investigators from the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office executed search warrants at two Woodbury Heights residences related to Simmons.

Simmons was charged with 1st degree distribution of drugs and placed in Gloucester County jail in default of $100,000 full cash bail.

William Simmons is locally known for winning the Wing Bowl, a Philadelphia chicken wing eating contest in which he competed using the name “El Wingador.” The Kia Soul Simmons was driving was decorated with a vehicle wrap heralding that moniker. That car was seized pending forfeiture.

“It is regrettable that Mr. Simmons’ notoriety has taken a negative turn. However, the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office works closely with other law enforcement agencies to stop the significant distribution of controlled dangerous substances that is reflected in the charges against him,” said Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean F. Dalton.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the State Police Drug Trafficking South Unit and the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office. Detective Anthony Zoppina was the lead detective for the State Police.