Sheldon Richardson (photo/NFL)
Former Mizzou star Sheldon Richardson, now with the New York Jets, was charged with resisting arrest on July 14th. This came less than two weeks after he was suspended four games by the NFL for its substance abuse policy. Police say Richardson was driving a 2014 Bentley as fast as 143 mph in a high speed road race near his home in St. Louis. A fully loaded semi-automatic weapon was found in the car, there was a strong odor of burned marijuana coming from the vehicle and a 12-year old was among the passengers in his car.
This news came out on Thursday about an hour after Richardson met with reporters saying he apologized to his teammates and the Jets organization.
“I’m not a dope fiend, man,” he told reporters. “I apologized to my teammates and this organization. I told them they don’t have to worry about my name being in the news again.”
When this is all said and done, the St. Charles County Prosectuor’s office may go pretty easy on Richardson.
In a probable cause statement released by police, they said Richardson endangered the welfare of a child in the first degree. The 12-year-old was one of four people in the vehicle. Richardson was the only person charged, but there are no gun, marijuana or child endangerment charges, according to the prosecutor.
Resisting arrest is a Class A misdemeanor in St. Charles County. If convicted, he could be sentenced up to a year in jail and/or fined up to $1,000.
The Jets released a statement saying they are gathering more information and it is not known whether there will be further discipline by the NFL.
Richardson was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2013 and a Pro Bowl selection last season.