Chad Johnson pleads no contest, gets probation for domestic violence charge

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson has pleaded no contest to a domestic violence charge involving his then-wife, reality TV star Evelyn Lozada.

Johnson was sentenced Friday to a year's probation and a counseling course under a plea deal with prosecutors. Johnson also must pay Lozada unspecified restitution.

The six-time Pro Bowl player long known as Chad Ochocinco was arrested in August after Lozada said he head-butted her during an argument. She quickly filed for divorce, which was finalized earlier this week. They had only been married since July 4.

Johnson was cut by the Miami Dolphins shortly after the incident and is not currently on an NFL roster. He previously played for the Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots.

Lozada is on the Basketball Wives TV show.

Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

View the original article here

Justin Blackmon pleads not guilty to DUI, could receive less money from Jags

Posted: 05:17 PM ET June 04, 2012

By Josh Katzowitz | NFL Blogger

Blackmon might have to take less money than 2011's No. 5 draft pick. (US Presswire)
Jaguars rookie receiver Justin Blackmon, coming off another DUI charge from Sunday morning (and this one was an aggravated DUI), might have found out that though the worst time for an incoming rookie to get in trouble comes in the months before the NFL draft, it's also not helpful to get busted before you sign your first-round contract.

As ESPN's Adam Schefter points out:

Sounds like the Jaguars can and will give first-round pick Justin Blackmon a smaller and deferred signing bonus, less guaranteed money.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 4, 2012

This news coincides with the not guilty plea made by Blackmon in Payne County (Okla.) district court Monday morning. The case will be heard July 24 at 10:30 a.m.

According to the affidavit, Stillwater police officer Charles Murphy said Blackmon didn't immediately pull over and was going as fast as 60 mph in a 35 mph zone before he stopped his vehicle. Murphy wrote that he immediately smelled alcohol on Blackmon's breath and that he had slow, slurred speech with lethargic movements.

“I just flew in. I don't know why you're harassing me,” Blackmon allegedly told Murphy.

Murphy also wrote he had to tell Blackmon to take his hands out of his pockets on four occasions while giving him a field sobriety test. Murphy said he gave Blackmon two blood alcohol tests. The first one read 0.24, three times the legal limit. The second allegedly read 0.26.

Last year's No. 5 pick, cornerback Patrick Peterson, signed a fully-guaranteed four-year deal worth $18.42 million with the Cardinals. Though Blackmon was supposed to see a slight raise from those figures, it looks like the Jaguars have a bit of leverage on him at this point.

The last time Blackmon was arrested for DUI, he was suspended for a game by Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy. This time around, if he's found guilty, Blackmon very well could face a suspension from the NFL and a loss of guaranteed salary.

As if you needed even more reasons never to drink and drive.

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnNFL on Twitter, and subscribe to our Pick-6 Podcast and NFL newsletter. You can follow Josh Katzowitz on Twitter here: @joshkatzowitz.

Tags: Justin Blackmon, Patrick Peterson, Jacksonville Jaguars, NFL

View the original article here

Lions' Leshoure pleads guilty to marijuana possession, pays fine

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. -- Detroit Lions running back Mikel Leshoure has pleaded guilty to marijuana possession, two months after police discovered him with pot in his mouth during a traffic stop in southwestern Michigan.

Leshoure appeared in court Friday in Berrien County, pleaded guilty and paid a $575 fine. Baroda-Lake Police Chief Gary Ruhl said "these cases are a dime a dozen," unless someone caught with marijuana is trying to deliver it. That wasn't the allegation in Leshoure's case.

A police report said Leshoure was a passenger in a car stopped on Interstate 94 in March. The officer reported seeing him chewing marijuana and noticed small pieces on his shirt. It's the second time Leshoure has been caught with marijuana in Berrien County.

He missed the 2011 season because of a torn Achilles tendon.

View the original article here

Joe Montana's son pleads not guilty to drunk driving

MISSOULA, Mont. -- The son of NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana has pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding.

Nate Montana appeared in Missoula County Justice Court on Friday.

Jail records show the 21-year-old Montana was booked into jail on a first-offense DUI charge at 3:46 a.m. Friday and released after posting a $685 bond.

The Missoulian reports that Montana and his attorney declined to comment at the hearing.

Montana transferred from Notre Dame to the University of Montana in Missoula in February and is vying for the starting quarterback spot.

Montana was one of 11 Notre Dame athletes arrested on misdemeanor charges of underage drinking at a party in South Bend, Ind., last July.

View the original article here

Joe Montana's son pleads not guilty to drunk-driving

MISSOULA, Mont. -- The son of NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana has pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding.

Nate Montana appeared in Missoula County Justice Court on Friday.

Jail records show the 21-year-old Montana was booked into jail on a first-offense DUI charge at 3:46 a.m. Friday and released after posting a $685 bond.

The Missoulian reports that Montana and his attorney declined to comment at the hearing.

Montana transferred from Notre Dame to the University of Montana in Missoula in February and is vying for the starting quarterback spot.

Montana was one of 11 Notre Dame athletes arrested on misdemeanor charges of underage drinking at a party in South Bend, Ind., last July.

View the original article here