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Jerome Simpson

March 2, 2012 by · Comments Off on Jerome Simpson 

Jerome Simpson, Cincinnati Bengals receiver Jerome Simpson could receive a 60-day jail sentence after pleading guilty Thursday to a drug-related felony charge as part of an agreement with prosecutors, further clouding his future in the NFL. A judge will decide next month whether to accept the prosecutors’ recommendation or give him a more lenient sentence.

The four-year veteran is a free agent after completing his contract with the Bengals. His guilty plea could bring a suspension from the league, which would make him less attractive on the free-agent market.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an email Thursday that the case will be reviewed under the league’s substance abuse policy.

Simpson wore a dark gray suit and stood with his hands in his pockets for a hearing Thursday in Kenton County Circuit Court aimed at concluding a drug case that has hung over him since September, when a package containing approximately two pounds of marijuana was delivered to his home in northern Kentucky.

The package had been tracked by agents from California. Authorities later searched Simpson’s home and found approximately another pound of marijuana, county Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders said after the hearing Thursday. He was indicted on a felony charge of marijuana trafficking. The agreement changes the charge — still a Class D felony — to a prohibited act relating to controlled substances.

“I don’t think Mr. Simpson deserves any special treatment one way or the other,” Sanders said after the hearing. “He doesn’t deserve any special breaks. He doesn’t deserve any harsher punishment.”

Judge Gregory Bartlett can accept the proposed 60-day jail term or reduce it at a sentencing hearing April 5. Bartlett told Simpson that he wants a full disclosure of what happened in the case at the sentencing hearing.

Simpson and lawyer Burr Travis left the courtroom immediately after the hearing without any comment. Later, Travis said in a phone interview that he would present witnesses at the sentencing hearing.

“We’re going to give the court and the commonwealth a different side of Jerome Simpson,” Travis said. “The decision is strictly up to the judge.”

Jerome Simpson Bengals

March 1, 2012 by · Comments Off on Jerome Simpson Bengals 

Jerome Simpson Bengals, Cincinnati Bengals receiver Jerome Simpson could receive a 60-day jail sentence after pleading guilty Thursday to a drug-related felony charge as part of an agreement with prosecutors.

The four-year NFL veteran also faces a suspension from the league for violating its personal conduct policy. He’s a free agent after completing his contract with the Bengals.

Simpson wore a dark gray suit and stood with his hands in his pockets for a hearing Thursday in Kenton County Circuit Court aimed at concluding a drug case that has hung over him since September, when a package containing approximately 2 pounds of marijuana was delivered to his home in northern Kentucky.

The package had been tracked by agents from California. Authorities later searched Simpson’s home and found approximately another pound of marijuana, county Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders said after the hearing on Thursday. He was indicted on a felony charge of marijuana trafficking. The agreement changes the charge – still a Class D felony – to a prohibited act relating to controlled substances.

Judge Gregory Bartlett can accept the proposed 60-day jail term or reduce it at a sentencing hearing on April 5.

The agreement also calls for three years’ probation, 200 hours of community service and drug treatment. Sanders said Simpson got no special treatment. He said the 60-day jail sentence is “probably on the high end of average” for such a case.

The agreement stipulates that there is no evidence Simpson was dealing marijuana. Sanders said Simpson had the marijuana for personal use and was probably sharing it with friends.

Simpson and his attorney left the courtroom immediately after the hearing without comment.

The second-round draft pick from Coastal Carolina caught 53 passes for 758 yards and four touchdowns last season as a complement to rookie Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Green. His grandest moment – a flip over a defender to score a touchdown – became a staple of NFL highlight films.

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