WASHINGTON — Straight-faced and subdued, Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas pleaded guilty Friday to a felony count of carrying a handgun without a license, leaving his all-star career in limbo and his freedom in doubt.
Arenas, who admitted to keeping four firearms in his locker at the Verizon Center, won’t know whether he must serve jail time until his March 26 sentencing and remains free until then. The government indicated it will not seek more than six months, although the judge can give Arenas anywhere from probation to the charge’s maximum term of five years. Guidelines call for six to 12 months.
“He said to me he messed up and he needs to be responsible,” Wizards coach Flip Saunders said. “He needs to accept his actions.”
Possession of a gun at an NBA arena is a violation of the league’s collective bargaining agreement. Last week, commissioner David Stern suspended Arenas indefinitely, without pay, pending the outcome of the investigation, a move supported by the Wizards. Arenas, 28, is in the second season of a six-year, $111 million contract.
It’s possible Stern will wait until the sentence is issued before deciding how to punish Arenas.
