Memphis recruit Williams reaches plea deal in gun case; no jail time expected
EL CAJON, Calif. (AP) — Star Memphis basketball recruit Mikey Williams pleaded guilty to one felony charge in a gun case on Thursday, and one of his attorneys said he does not expect the 19-year-old to face jail time.
Williams had faced nine felony counts and up to 30 years in prison stemming from a shooting at his home on March 17 in which no one was injured. Williams pleaded guilty to one felony count of making a criminal threat and to a special allegation of using a firearm during the threat, attorney Randy M. Grossman said.
In exchange, the other eight counts were dismissed and Williams was ordered to complete a gun safety course, attend anger management sessions and do 80 hours of community service. Sentencing was set for Aug. 12, when the charge would be reduced to a misdemeanor if Williams follows terms of the deal and avoids any criminal offenses, Grossman said.
Grossman said negotiations reached the highest levels of the District Attorney’s Office. Williams had faced six counts of assault with a weapon, one count of firing into an occupied vehicle and two counts of making threats that could result in great bodily injury or death. Trial had been set for Dec. 14.
Williams posted a video on his Instagram account that shows him walking away from the courthouse in this San Diego suburb.
“It's all over," said Williams, who was dressed in a black suit and had his arm around a friend or a family member. “I feel good, brother. You know, all glory to God. I'm just happy that I made it out of this situation. I'm just excited to get back on the court.”
Williams, who played at San Ysidro High, is enrolled in online classes at Memphis and remains on the roster but does not have access to team facilities or activities. The school said in September his status with the program would be determined when the court case was resolved.
Williams was one of the name, image and likeness era’s earliest stars, securing a multiyear deal with shoe and athletic apparel maker Puma for an undisclosed amount in 2021. Puma spokeswoman Melissa Garbayo said in late October that the company’s relationship with Williams ended earlier this year. On3.com once estimated his NIL valuation at $3.6 million, but Williams’ name no longer appears in the rankings.
Williams had been free on a $50,000 bond since his arrest on April 13.
___
AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball