Updated at 4:07 p.m.
Washington Wizards player Javaris Crittenton pleaded guilty today to a misdemeanor for bringing a handgun into the Verizon Center last month, prosecutors and Crittenton's lawyer said.
Senior Judge Bruce Beaudin of D.C. Superior Court sentenced Crittenton, 22, to a year of unsupervised probation. Crittenton will also have to perform community service with an NBA program for Haiti and with a children's organization in Washington.
The charge — possession of an unregistered firearm — stems from an argument Crittenton had with teammate Gilbert Arenas in December. This month, Arenas pleaded guilty to a felony gun charge, and he's scheduled to be sentenced in March.
Schulte Roth & Zabel partner Peter White, who represents Crittenton, said in a statement that his client "accepts responsibility for his conduct" and hopes to return to playing in the NBA. Crittenton, who lives in Virginia, owned his gun lawfully and feared for his life when he brought it to the Verizon Center, White said. Crittenton had no previous criminal record.
"The gun was legally purchased, but bringing it into the District, even for self defense, violated the city’s strict gun control laws," White said.
Acting U.S. Attorney Channing Phillips said in a statement that possessing a gun unlawfully in the District "can lead to nothing but trouble and can have serious consequences. We commend Mr. Crittenton for accepting responsibility and hope he fully appreciates the gravity of his actions.”
Comments