Despite today's news that undrafted free agent Brandon Joiner has been sentenced to three years in prison for a robbery that occurred in 2007, the Bengals have announced that they will retain his rights, per Joe Reedy of The Cincinnati Enquirer. Joiner's contract runs through the 2014 season, per NFLPA files.

It is unlikely that Joiner makes the team out of training camp regardless of what happens with the legal situation. According to theeagle.com in Bryan-College Station, Tex, Joiner was indicted for two counts of aggravated robbery and one charge of felony drug possession a month after Joiner and a teammate from Texas A&M allegedly broke into an apartment and robbed a drug dealer at gunpoint.

The Bengals have reportedly been impressed with Joiner's community service and clean record since the incident occurred in 2007. Joiner's attorney Jay Granberry told theeagle.com that good behavior for Joiner could result in him being paroled in six to nine months. Granberry says:

"Since this incident, Brandon has conducted himself in an exemplary fashion and I’m sure he will continue to do that," Granberry told theeagle.com. "There are a lot of people rooting for Brandon and I’m convinced he’s not going to let anyone down."