Former NBA point guard Rajon Rondo pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of illegal possession of a firearm.
Rondo pleaded guilty in a Jackson County, Indiana, courtroom, According to local reportsHe will not go to prison.
Rondo was arrested in January after being stopped for a traffic violation in Jackson County. Police said Rondo was drive your Tesla over 100 mph and weave through traffic on Interstate 65.
The arresting officer said he smelled marijuana during the traffic stop, which prompted a search. Recreational marijuana is not legal in Indiana. The officer found marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a 9 mm handgun during the search, police said.
Rondo was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana. The drug charges were dropped as part of Rondo’s plea deal. All three charges were misdemeanors.
Rondo was sentenced to 180 days in jail and was given credit for time served for two days previously served. The sentence was suspended, per the plea agreement. Rondo will instead be placed on probation for 180 days. He must maintain his job and avoid drugs and alcohol while on probation. WDRB Reports.
Rondo was reportedly banned from owning a firearm under emergency protection orders taken out against him in 2022 after he allegedly threatened a woman with a gun at his home in Kentucky. Rondo has not been charged with a crime in the incident.
In accordance with the protection orderRondo was playing a video game with the woman’s son when she asked her child to help her do laundry. Rondo then ripped the video game console off the wall and broke several items, including a teacup and outdoor lights, before leaving the home, the order states.
The woman said Rondo then returned to the home with a gun, told her “you’re dead” and demanded to see his son. He eventually left the property after police arrived, according to the protection order.
The protective order was eventually lifted after both parties reportedly reached an agreement.
Rondo initially pleaded not guilty to the firearm charge, and his trial was delayed He is awaiting a Second Amendment case before the U.S. Supreme Court. His attorney has challenged the constitutionality of the gun charge.
In June, The Supreme Court upheld a federal law Prohibiting anyone subject to a domestic violence restraining order from possessing a firearm. Rondo changed his plea on the firearm charge to guilty, leading to Tuesday’s sentencing.
Rondo played 16 seasons in the NBA after two seasons at the University of Kentucky. He was a member of four All-Star teams and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Team four times. He led the league in assists in three different seasons and was the starting point guard in the 2008 season. Boston Celtics team that won the NBA championship. He also played a key role for the 2020 NBA champion Lakers. Rondo last played for the The Cleveland Cavaliers in 2022.
