*Former NBA player Sebastian Telfair was sentenced on Monday to three and a half years in federal prison for possession of a loaded firearm. In 2017 he was pulled over after making a u-turn and driving without his lights on. During the stop, police recovered a loaded handgun — a felony offense — and Telfair was arrested.
During his hearing, Telfair proclaimed his innocence several times, and even quoted 2Pac at one point, stating, “They’re going to give you everything you need to destroy yourself.” He also told the judge, “Please don’t take me from the society right now. I’m 34. I can go play in China for another six years, take care of my family.”
Judge John Hecht responded by telling him, “I’m not going to say very much, I’ve observed you throughout the trial. I don’t think the people disagree… the judgement in this case sir, is what the jury convicted you of … You’ve achieved greatness in your life and this case doesn’t take that away.”
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Sebastian Telfair has been sentenced to 3 and a half years in prison for gun possession pic.twitter.com/N3OXFn50QH
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) August 12, 2019
via NBC Sports:
This is not the first time that Telfair has been in trouble with the law. In 2007, Telfair was pulled over in New York after speeding. Telfair was driving on a suspended license, and during the stop police recovered a handgun from his vehicle. In 2008 the New York high school basketball legend was sentenced to three years probation, and suspended three games by the NBA.
Following the sentencing hearing, Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez remarked, “This defendant exercised his right to a jury trial and was found guilty of possessing an illegal firearm, […] The mandatory prison sentence he received today is required by law and he has now been held accountable for the unlawful conduct.”
Telfair last played in the NBA for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2014. He appeared in 16 games before being waived by OKC.
