It’s no longer a laughing matter for Gilbert Arenas.  The Washington Post is reporting that District of Columbia prosectuors today charged the Washington Wizards point guard with felonious possession of a gun outside of a home or business without a license.

Arenas Charge With Felony

The charges were filed in D.C. Superior Court under the basis of “information,” a filing status which is normally associated with a plea deal.  A grand jury had been convened to review the circumstances surrounding the case, but no indictment was delivered.  With charges being brought by the prosecutor’s office, it signals that the situation has been resolved legally.

Washington Post sources have confirmed that Arenas’ plea deal will include little to no jail time.  Under sentencing guidelines, Arenas could have faced up to five years in prison and a fine.

As reported by Benchwarmers United on January 6th, the police investigation arose after a locker room Mexican Standoff between Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton.  Arenas had needled Crittenton over gambling debts and the argument spilled over from the team plane to the locker room where guns were drawn by the two players.

Arenas was subsequently suspended indefinitely by the NBA for his misbehavior.

The felony charges hold serious consequences for Arenas.  NBA bylaws between the league and players union forbid guns at an NBA arena.  Additionally, every NBA player has a “morals” clause included in their contract and a felony conviction provides the Washington Wizards legal rights to terminate Arenas’ 6-year, $118 million contract.

Arenas can expect a very lengthy suspension from the NBA now that the matter has been resolved.  The likelihood of his return to the Wizards, who changed their team name from the Bullets because of the violent connotations, is quite unlikely.

Anyone interested in a gun-toting felon to direct their team to a championship?  He has gun, will travel.

Tags: gilbert arenas, Washington Wizards

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 14th, 2010 at 9:23 pm and is filed under Washington Wizards, nba. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.