According to WCPO, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jerome Simpson was sentenced to 15 days in jail on Thursday, as part of a plea deal that included Simpson paying $7,500 in court fees ($5,000 can be donated to charity) and 200 hours of community service (he had already put in 50 hours).
Simpson was originally indicted for trafficking marijuana on January 19 after federal authorities allowed a "controlled delivery" of marijuana to Simpson's front door. An eventual plea agreement between Simpson and Kenton County Commonwealth attorney Rob Sanders (aka, the prosecutor) recommended reduced time (as well as probation and community service) in exchange for a guilty plea.
Simpson is currently a free agent with a recent visit in St. Louis. Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis recently left the door open for Simpson's return, depending on if the wide receiver can get his act together on and off the field. There's a good chance that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will weigh in, likely posing some sort of suspension on the wide receiver for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
After struggling to get on the field through the first three seasons (save for three-game stretch to end 2010), Simpson finally put together a career year in receptions (50), yards receiving (725) and touchdowns (4).
Sanders, the prosecutor in Simpson's case tweeted after the judge's sentence:
@KYprosecutor
Rob SandersJudge sentences Jerome Simpson to 3yrs probated for 3yrs but 15days in jail instead of recommended 60.
1 hour ago via Twitter for iPhone · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
The Bengals released a statement on the judge's sentencing of Simpson on Thursday:
"The Bengals believe that Jerome has, and will continue to, deal accountably with the consequences of his actions. Jerome is presently a free agent, and the Club will continue to review his status."