Probation, fine for Richmond in weapons case

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Jereme Richmond

Updated: February 25, 2012 8:16AM

Ex-Waukegan basketball star Jereme Richmond accepted legal responsibility for illegally transporting a .40-caliber Smith and Wesson handgun when he accepted a plea deal Monday.

Richmond, 19, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon for the Aug. 8 incident in which the gun was in the back of the vehicle he drove.

The gun was uncased, loaded and ready to use, and stored in the backseat when he drove to a Waukegan residence and “exchanged words” in discussion regarding using the firearm, Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney James Newman said.

“At no point did any witness put the handgun in Richmond’s hand,” Newman said.

Richmond made alleged threats to use the gun against the family of his ex-girlfriend. He was also charged with aggravated battery for allegedly beating his ex the day before.

The battery charge was dropped as a condition of the plea deal.

Richmond was sentenced to 18 months of probation, pay a $500 fine and $3,276 in court costs. He will also serve 200 hours of community service and donate $250 to A Safe Place, the shelter for battered and abused women.

If he fails to comply with the terms of his probation, Richmond will spend 180 days in Lake County Jail, minus the eight days he already spent in custody.

Richmond is not allowed to drink alcohol or use drugs. He tested positive for marijuana while out on bond in October.

Richmond also was ordered not to come within 500 feet of the Golfmoor Avenue residence where he transported the weapon.

Circuit Court Judge John Phillips also ordered that Richmond undergo evaluations for substance abuse, anger management and domestic violence.

“You are obviously a talented young man. I hope you make it through probation,” Phillips told Richmond.

Richmond could have spent up to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and paid a fine up to $25,000 for the charge of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.