Ex-HS star Bates arrested after gun found in car
Ammunition Betsa former high school star who transferred from Memphis To Eastern Michigan This summer, he was arrested on a Sunday night about two miles from campus in Superior Township, Michigan, after sheriff’s deputies discovered a firearm in a vehicle he was driving.
Derek Jackson, public information officer for the Superior Township, Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, told ESPN that officers “initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle that failed to stop” at an intersection.
Bates was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and “altering identification marks” on a firearm. He was arraigned Monday, and his attorney, Steve Haney, asked that Bates enter a not guilty plea.
According to Haney, the judge agreed to a non-monetary personal recognizance bond for Bates to be released from jail immediately. Bates’ next court date is set for Oct. 6.
Haney told ESPN that Sunday night’s arrest came after a routine traffic stop when Bates was driving a borrowed car with a gun. “Reserve judgment on that,” Heaney said in a statement. “There’s more to the story. He borrowed someone’s car, got pulled over and had a gun in the car.”
According to the Michigan Penal Code, a person charged with carrying a concealed weapon can face “not more than 5 years” in prison and a fine of up to $2,500. A charge of altering an identification card on a firearm carries a penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000.
Eastern Michigan released a statement Monday afternoon announcing that Bates would be suspended.
“We are aware of a situation involving a men’s basketball student-athlete, Amoni Betts,” the school said. “Eastern Michigan University takes all allegations of this nature very seriously. In accordance with department policy, he has been automatically suspended from practice and playing privileges pending the resolution of the legal process. As this is an ongoing legal matter Yes, so the university will have nothing more to do. Comment at this time.
Betts, a 6-foot-9 small forward, was considered one of the elite basketball prospects in the country during his high school career, ranked No. 1 in the class of 2022 until he reranked last summer. and finished at number 3 in 2021. .
He actually committed. Michigan State Reopened his recruitment in the summer of 2020 and again in April 2021, before reclassifying from 2022 to 2021 and committing to Memphis.
His only season under coach Penny Hardaway was uneventful. He missed 15 of 33 games with a back injury that forced him to return home to see a specialist, and he struggled when he was on the floor.
Bates averaged 9.7 points and 3.3 rebounds with the Tigers.
WXYZ in Detroit initially reported Bates’ arrest.
ESPN’s Jeff Borzello contributed to this report.