Jereme Richmond, 19, a former north suburban and University of Illinois basketball player, is facing charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, battery, possession of a firearm and assault.
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WAUKEGAN (CBS) — Ex-Waukegan basketball star Jereme Richmond was sentenced to probation for illegally transporting a .40-caliber Smith and Wesson handgun as part of a plea deal accepted Monday.
Richmond, 19, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon for the Aug. 8, 2011, incident in which the gun was in the back of the vehicle he drove, the Lake County News-Sun is reporting.
Richmond allegedly made threats to use the gun against the family of his ex-girlfriend. He was also charged with aggravated battery for allegedly beating his ex the day before. The battery charge was dropped as a condition of the plea deal.
The gun was uncased, loaded and ready to use. It was stored in the backseat when he drove to a Waukegan residence and “exchanged words” regarding using the firearm, Lake County Asst. State’s Atty. James Newman said.
“At no point did any witness put the handgun in Richmond’s hand,” Newman said.
Richmond was sentenced to 18 months of probation, and must pay a $500 fine and $3,276 in court costs. He will also serve 200 hours of community service and donate $250 to A Safe Place, a shelter for battered and abused women.
If he fails to comply with the terms of probation, Richmond will spend 180 days in Lake County Jail minus the eight days he already spent in custody. Richmond is not allowed to drink alcohol or use drugs. He tested positive for marijuana while out on bond in October.
Richmond also was ordered not to come within 500 feet of the residence where he transported the weapon.
Circuit Court Judge John Phillips also ordered that Richmond undergo evaluations for substance abuse, anger management and domestic violence.
“You are obviously a talented young man. I hope you make it through probation,” Phillips told Richmond.
Richmond could have spent up to three years in prison and been fined up to $25,000 for the weapon charge.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
