New York Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson pleaded guilty in court on Tuesday to a lesser charge and averted jail time after he was involved in a high-speed police chase in suburban St. Louis last summer.
Richardson was sentenced by two years of probation and community service by a St. Charles County (Mo.) judge on five misdemeanor charges. He was arrested in July after leading police on a chase in his 2014 Bentley Silver Spur that reached speeds on a freeway of up to 143 mph.
When police finally stopped the vehicle, they found a loaded semi-automatic handgun, a 12-year-old relative and two male passengers in the car. There was also a strong smell of marijuana. Richardson was not charged with gun or marijuana possession.
If Richardson makes it through the probation period, the charges will be expunged from his record.
The former Missouri standout was forced to sit out the first four games this past season after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Once Richardson returned, he played in 11 games and had five sacks among his 35 tackles.
In three seasons with the Jets, Richardson has compiled 104 tackles and 16 1/2 sacks.