List of professional sportspeople convicted of crimes

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This list includes some Professional sportspeople convicted of serious crimes (such as felonies in the United States). This list also includes amateur sportspeople who have competed at the highest level of competition (e.g. Olympic level).

Contents

[edit] American Football

Name Team when arrested Offense Sentence Notes
Rae Carruth Carolina Panthers conspiracy to commit murder 24 years[1] North Carolina DOC record
Cecil Collins Miami Dolphins burglary 15 years[2] May face further imprisonment in Louisiana after release from Florida prison. listing at Florida DOC
Dwayne Goodrich Dallas Cowboys criminally negligent homicide 12 1/2 years [3] hit and run accident
Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson retired (from Dallas Cowboys) sexual assault, bribery 4 years, eight months released after serving 28 months[4]
Darryl Henley Los Angeles Rams drug trafficking, attempted conspiracy to commit murder 41 years[5] expected release date 03-28-2031[6]
Terry "Tank" Johnson Chicago Bears probation violation relating to weapons possession 120 days served 60 days[7]
Jamal Lewis Baltimore Ravens using a cell phone to facilitate a drug deal four months served four months[8]
Leonard Little St. Louis Cardinals involuntary manslaughter three months[9] Involved in fatal car crash while intoxicated.
Dexter Manley Washington Redskins drug possession, evidence tampering 4 years (1996) 2 years (2002) served over three years total[10]
Byron "Bam" Morris Kansas City Chiefs drug trafficking 30 months Released after serving two and a half years[11]
Eugene "Mercury" Morris retired from Miami Dolphins drug trafficking 20 years conviction overturned - reached plea bargain and released after serving 3 years[12]
Nate Newton retired from Dallas Cowboys drug trafficking 7 1/2 years (two separate convictions)[1] released after serving about two and a half years[13]
Robert Rozier (a.k.a. Robert Rameses) retired from Arizona Cardinals[2] multiple murders multiple convicted of four murders, served 10 years and placed in witness protection after testifying against Yahweh Ben Yahweh, later sentenced to 25 to life on check kiting charge under three strikes rule[14]
Art Schlichter Indianapolis Colts forgery, theft, others 16 years[15] committed over 20 felonies related to gambling, released from prison in June 2006[16]
Alonzo Spellman retired/cut (from Chicago Bears interference with a flight crew, simple assault[17] 18 months served one year
Michael Vick Atlanta Falcons conspiracy, related to dog fighting[18] 23 months[19]
Stanley Wilson Sr. retired from Cincinnati Bengals burglary 22 years sentence was under a third strike provision [20]

[edit] Athletics (track and field)

Name Offense Sentence Notes
David Jenkins Trafficking of anabolic steroids 7 years Released after 9 months[21]
Marion Jones Obstruction of justice, perjury 6 months & 200 hours community service [22]
Tim Montgomery fraud 46 months [23]
Steven Riddick Money laundering & fraud 5 years [24]

[edit] Canadian Football

Name Team when arrested Offense Sentence Notes
Trevis Smith Saskatchewan Roughriders aggravated sexual assault 5½ years [25]
Terry Underwood released/retired (from Toronto Argonauts) murder 30-60 years eligible for Parole in 2028.[26][27] Page at NJ DOC

[edit] Association football (Soccer)

[edit] English Football League

Name Team when arrested Offense Sentence Notes
athletes involved in the 1964 British betting scandal
      Jimmy Gauld Everton F.C. conspiracy to defraud 4 years [28]
      Peter Swan, Tony Kay, and David Layne Sheffield Wednesday F.C. conspiracy to defraud 4 months
Lee Hughes West Bromwich Albion F.C. Causing death by dangerous driving 6 years [29]
Mickey Thomas Wrexham F.C. Counterfeiting 18 Months [21]
Tony Adams Arsenal F.C. Drink driving 4 Months Released after serving 57 days[30]
Eric Cantona Manchester United Assault 2 weeks Released after 24 hours. Later overturned in favour of 120 hours community service[31]
Mads Timm Manchester United Dangerous driving 12 months [32]
Callum Flanagan Manchester United Dangerous driving 8 months [33]

[edit] Baseball

Name Team when arrested Offense Sentence Notes
Orlando Cepeda retired drug possession 5 years served 10 months.[34]
Alex Cole retired drug possession with intent to distribute 18 months[35]
Dwight Gooden retired fleeing police, violation of probation (drug use) 1 year served 7 months[36]
Ricardo Jordan retired drug trafficking 7 years[37] listing at Florida DOC
Denny McLain retired (from Detroit Tigers) drug trafficking, embezzlement, and racketeering 12 years prior sentence overturned after he served two years, released after plea-bargain.[38]
retired conspiracy, theft, money laundering and mail fraud 8 years released after serving six years [38]
Pete Rose retired/banned tax evasion 5 months[39]
Darryl Strawberry retired drug possession, solicitation of prostitution 18 months Sentence was suspended in 1999, reinstated after 2002 parole violation[40]
Hank Thompson retired (from New York Giants Armed robbery 10 years served four years
Luis Polonia Detroit Tigers Sex with a minor 60 days served 60 days
Ugueth Urbina Philadelphia Phillies Attempted murder 14 years[41]

[edit] Basketball

Name Team when arrested Offense Sentence Notes
Lonny Baxter Mens Sana Basket (Italy), formerly with Charlotte Bobcats gun possession two months [42]
Luther "Ticky" Burden released/retired (New York Knicks) receiving stolen property two years Originally sentenced to 6 to 18 years for Bank Robbery[43], conviction was voided.[44]
Allen Iverson in high school maiming by mob five years pardoned by Governor after serving 4 months, conviction later overturned on appeal [45]
Henry James retired dealing cocaine five years [46]
"Fast" Eddie Johnson retired burglary, robbery, drug possession various up to five years awaiting sentence, may be up to life for two separate sexual attacks.[47][48]
Jack Molinas Fort Wayne Pistons bribing players to fix games ten to fifteen years served five years. [49]
Tom Payne Atlanta Hawks rape (multiple convictions)[50] life (eligible for parole in 2014)Page at Kentucky DOC as of 2007 has served 31 years
Ruben Patterson Seattle Supersonics third degree rape 1 year served 15 days [51]
Isaiah Rider retired (Minnesota Timberwolves) possession of cocaine, battery, evading a police officer seven months[52]
Charles E. Smith Boston Celtics vehicular homicide 4 1/2 years[53] served 28 months[54]
Sylvester "Sly" Williams retired kidnapping five years released after serving 3 1/2 years. profile at New York DOC

[edit] Boxing

Name Offense Sentence Notes
Tony Ayala, Jr. burglary and rape 35 years paroled after 16 years, returned to prison for an additional ten year sentence after parole violation.[55]
Trevor Berbick sexual assault five years[56] served fifteen months
Riddick Bowe kidnapping eighteen months[57] released after serving 17 months for kidnapping his wife and children
Rubin "Hurricane" Carter murder life[58] conviction set aside and released after serving 19 years
Esteban De Jesús murder life[59] pardoned after 7 years due to failing heath, died 1 month later
Bernard Hopkins strong-arm robbery 18 years[60] served 56 months (before boxing career)[61]
Sonny Liston robbery five years served two years [62]
Dwight Muhammad Qawi (formerly Dwight Braxton) armed robbery ? served more than two years[63]
Tommy Morrison Drugs and weapons 10 years served 14 months [21]
Naseem Hamed Dangerous driving 15 months[64] served 16 weeks
Mike Tyson rape six years[65] served 3 years
road rage one year[66] served 9 months
possession of narcotics and DUI 24 hours in jail, 360 hours community service and 3 years probation[67]

[edit] Diving

Name Offense Sentence Notes
Bruce Kimball vehicular homicide 17 years released after serving less than five years [68]

[edit] Figure Skating

Name Offense Sentence Notes
Wolfgang Schwarz kidnapping 8 years had earlier conviction for human trafficking (transporting women from Russia and Lithuania to Austria to work as prostitutes) [69]
Tonya Harding hindering a police investigation (of an attack on Nancy Kerrigan) three years probation, 500 hours of community service, and a $160,000 fine later convicted of domestic violence and drunk driving as well. Also later became a professional boxer.

[edit] Horse racing

Name Offense Sentence Notes
Lester Piggott tax evasion 3 years[70] Released after 366 days[71]

[edit] Ice Hockey

Name Team when arrested Offense Sentence Notes
Mike Danton St. Louis Blues conspiracy to commit murder 7 1/2 years [72] sentence precludes any chance for parole - projected release 10-27-2010[73]
Steve Durbano retired drug smuggling 7 years [74]
Bob Probert Detroit Red Wings drug possession 90 days[75] More at Hockey Draft Central
Tom MCarthy retired conspiracy to traffic drugs five years and ten months[76] served approx. 4 years in U.S. and Canada. [77]
Craig MacTavish Boston Bruins vehicular homicide 1 year [78]

[edit] Motorsport

Name Team when arrested Offense Sentence Notes
John Paul, Sr. Importing marijuana, tax evasion, possession of false passport and attempted murder of a federal witness 25 years[79] [80] [81] Released after serving 15 years, currently wanted for questioning since 2001[82]
John Paul, Jr. Racketeering 5 years[83]
Don Whittington Money laundering 18 months[84]
Bill Whittington Income tax evasion and conspiracy to smuggle narcotics 15 years[85]
Randy Lanier Criminal enterprise, drugs distribution Life without Parole[86]
Bertrand Gachot Jordan Grand Prix Assault and use of offensive weapon 18 months[87] Sentence was reduced to nine months and six months suspended. Released after two months.[88]
Vic Lee Vic Lee Motorsport/Racing (owner) Drugs smuggling 2x12 years[89] Served same sentence on 2nd offense
Charles Zwolsman Euro Racing (driver/owner) Drugs smuggling[90][91] 2 years (1987)
5 years (1994)
8 years (2001)		 Was given an extra year following a retrial in 1995. Currently being prosecuted on a drugs offense on 2006.

[edit] Skateboarding

Name Offense Sentence Notes
Christian Hosoi Drug trafficking 10 years Released after serving a 4 years [92][93]
Mark Rogowski Rape and murder 31 years Eligible for Parole in 2009[94]

[edit] Tennis

Name Offense Sentence Notes
Roscoe Tanner theft, fraud two years[95] Released after one year.Florida DOC record



[edit] References

  1. ^ Carruth Transferred To Another Prison, New York Times/AP, January 31, 2001.
  2. ^ Behind bars, Cecil the Diesel remains upbeat , Sporting News/AP, July 20, 2002.
  3. ^ Judge Sentences Former Dallas Cowboy Dwayne Goodrich ,NBC5 Dallas online, January 10, 2006
  4. ^ Larry Mayer Believe it or not: the life of Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson is so remarkable that it seems to have come right out of, well, Hollywood, Football Digest April, 2005
  5. ^ Backed into a corner ESPN.com, May 13th, 2000
  6. ^ page at Federal Bureau of Prisons
  7. ^ Tank leaves jail after serving two months of four-month sentence,CBS SportsLine.com wire reports,/AP, May 13, 2007
  8. ^ Jarrett Bell Lewis says training 'will be a breeze' after prison camp USA Today online, June 7, 2005
  9. ^ Rams linebacker Little coping with fatal past CNNSI.com January 28, 2000
  10. ^ Manley served time for crack possession EPSN.com/AP, March 5, 2004
  11. ^ Dave Mackall Viva La Bam? Pittsburgh Tribune Review, May 9,2006
  12. ^ Les Carpenter Long After His Retirement, Morris Still Making Claims Washington Post, January 31, 2007
  13. ^ Newton said he stood to make $75K per drug deal ESPN.com/AP, May 13, 2005
  14. ^ Peter Hecht Witness's past catches up to him - '80s cult killer gets 'third strike' term for passing bad checks Sacramento Bee, Page B1, January 13, 2001
  15. ^ Schlichter Back in Prison for Gambling New York Times, July 10, 1997
  16. ^ Susan Stonick, Amy Disch and Victor Black Art Schlichter through the years Columbus Dispatch 2006
  17. ^ Mark Kram The brutal trip down Dallas Morning News 2003
  18. ^ Falcons' Vick indicted by grand jury in dogfighting probe ESPN.com July 18, 2007
  19. ^ Apologetic Vick gets 23-month sentence on dogfighting charges ESPN.com December 10, 2007
  20. ^ Rick Gosselin Stanley Wilson the son is ready to rise Dallas Morning News, April 6, 2006
  21. ^ a b c "Sportsmen who went to jail", Observer Sport Monthly, February 3, 2002. 
  22. ^ Marion Jones Gets Six Months in Jail
  23. ^ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/04/09/montgomery.fraud/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
  24. ^ http://english.pravda.ru/news/sports/16-05-2008/105248-Tim_Montgomery-0
  25. ^ Tim Cook Ex-CFL player Trevis Smith gets 5½ years in jail for exposing 2 women to HIV, CBC Sports, February 26, 2007
  26. ^ Prosecutors Say Ex-Star At Wagner Killed WifeNew York TimesAugust 27, 1998
  27. ^ 10 years later, Terry Underwood still looking for daylight New York Daily News, Sunday, October 7th 2007
  28. ^ Rick Broadbent Swan still reduced to tears by the fix that came unstuck, The Times, July 22, 2006
  29. ^ "Footballer jailed for death crash", BBC News. Retrieved on 2007-08-28. 
  30. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1235948.stm
  31. ^ Cantona hits fan, faces lengthy ban | Football | guardian.co.uk
  32. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2005/mar/03/newsstory.sport8
  33. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2005/mar/03/newsstory.sport8
  34. ^ Police Arrest Cepeda on Drug Charges Washington Post page E7, May 3, 2007
  35. ^ Ex-OF gets 18 months on heroin charges St. Petersburg Times October 28, 2002
  36. ^ Dwight Gooden Released From Prison Washington Post/AP, November 9, 2006
  37. ^ Ex-pitcher sentenced Deseret News, March 7, 2007
  38. ^ a b Nick Acocella, From the big time to the big house, ESPN Classic, 2007.
  39. ^ Claire Smith Rose Sentenced to 5 Months For Filing False Tax Returns New York Times July 20, 1990, Page A1
  40. ^ Former slugger gets 18 months for violating probation SI.com/AP April 29, 2002
  41. ^ Urbina sentenced to prison in Venezuela Espn.com/AP March 29, 2007
  42. ^ Henri E. Cauvin Baxter Sentenced to Jail in Gun Incident Washington Post Thursday, August 24, 2006; Page B01
  43. ^ Burden Given 6 to 18 Years New York Times/UPI October 28, 1981
  44. ^ Burden Pleads Guilty New York Times July 3, 1984
  45. ^ Timeline: Allen Iverson SI.com/AP
  46. ^ Former NBA player sentenced to 5 years for drug dealing The Globe and Mail/AP May 24, 2007
  47. ^ Anatomy of a breakdown: The rise and fall of former NBA star Eddie Johnson AP November 18, 2006
  48. ^ Marion County Jail Inmates
  49. ^ Explosion II: The Molinas periodESPN Classic, November 19, 2003
  50. ^ Gregg Doyel Kentucky Wildcats: Where Have You Gone? (book) pages 74-77 c. 2005 Sports Publishing LLC
  51. ^ Bucks trade Smith to Nuggets for Patterson AP August 10, 2006
  52. ^ Ex-NBA star J.R. Rider sentenced to 7 months in Marin jail AP February 7, 2007
  53. ^ Smith, a Former Celtic, Gets a Split Verdict New York Times Section B, Page 13, March 13, 1992
  54. ^ Smith, a Former Celtic, Gets Out of Prison New York Times/AP July 27, 1994
  55. ^ Tom Bower Boxer Ayala going back to prison Judge yanks his probation on 2001 burglary conviction. San Antonio Express-News, Page 1A, July 29, 2004
  56. ^ Bill Beacon Boxers no strangers to the big house CBC Sports February 21, 2001
  57. ^ Riddick Bowe attempting boxing comeback CBC Sports, August 19, 2004
  58. ^ HURRICANE, PART II New York Times, November 10, 1985
  59. ^ Pugilistic prisoners Newsday
  60. ^ Frank Lotierzo Bernard Hopkins Outside The Ring: The Most Unique All-Time Great The Sweet Science May 12, 2005
  61. ^ House Resolution Number 796 (Session of 2006) of The General Assembly Of Pennsylvania congratulating Hopkins
  62. ^ Biography at ESPN Classic
  63. ^ Braxton wins decision over Scott at Rahway Doylestown Daily Intelligencer/AP September 6, 1981 pages 8-9
  64. ^ BBC NEWS | England | South Yorkshire | Early release for ex-boxing champ
  65. ^ Biography at ESPN Classic
  66. ^ Tyson jailed over road rage, BBC News, 1999-02-06, Retrieved on 2007-03-27.
  67. ^ BBC NEWS, Tyson Jailed on Drugs Charges, news.bbc.com, 2007-11-19, Retrieved on 2007-11-19.
  68. ^ Chris Fusco, Man who killed 2 teens in DUI crash may get Illinois license, Chicago Sun-Times, December 23, 2004
  69. ^ Former Olympic medalist gets eight years in prison for kidnapping plot, USA Today/AP, August 7, 2006.
  70. ^ BBC ON THIS DAY | 23 | 1987: Lester Piggott jailed for three years
  71. ^ Interview: Lester Piggott | Columnists | guardian.co.uk Sport
  72. ^ CBC uncovers Danton-Frost intrigue December 6, 2005
  73. ^ listing at Federal Bureau of Prisons
  74. ^ Steve Simmons Demolition Durby Slam! Sports at Canoe November 19, 2002
  75. ^ Probert Finishes Term New York Times/AP February 6, 1990
  76. ^ Steve Simmons The redeemed (interview) Slam! Sports at Canoe October 17, 2002
  77. ^ listing at U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons
  78. ^ SPORTS PEOPLE; MacTavish Is Free - New York Times
  79. ^ SPORTS PEOPLE; Driver Sentenced - New York Times
  80. ^ SPORTS PEOPLE; Driver Extradited - New York Times
  81. ^ F1 - Grandprix.com > Features > News Feature > Formula 1 and crime
  82. ^ Unsolved Mysteries On Lifetime Tv
  83. ^ SPORTS PEOPLE; Driver Sentenced - New York Times
  84. ^ SPORTS PEOPLE; Whittingtons Sentenced - New York Times
  85. ^ SPORTS PEOPLE; Whittingtons Sentenced - New York Times
  86. ^ SPORTS PEOPLE: AUTO RACING; Driver Jailed - New York Times
  87. ^ October 1991 Information
  88. ^ F1 - Grandprix.com > Features > Interview > Bertrand Gachot
  89. ^ GNN - Government News Network
  90. ^ http://www.dpna.org/drugissues/failure_of_dutch_drug_policy.htm
  91. ^ [onore: http://onore.wikispaces.com/zwolsman#toc0 Charles 'Sjarrel' Zwolsman] (Dutch)
  92. ^ http://www.effection.net/hosoi/
  93. ^ http://www.secretsofsuccess.com/people/hosoi.html
  94. ^ Stoked: The Rise and Fall of Gator
  95. ^ Greg GarberJailed Tanner's losses: Game, set, match . . . family Espn.com June 24, 2006