Jets’ Richardson facing charges for resisting arrest

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -- Sheldon Richardson has already been suspended four games by the NFL for drug use. The New York Jets defensive lineman is now facing legal troubles.

Richardson was charged Thursday in St. Charles County, Missouri, with resisting arrest and traffic violations for an incident on July 14 -- just two weeks after his NFL-issued drug suspension for marijuana use.

Richardson, entering his third NFL season, spoke to reporters after the team's first practice of training camp -- but before the news broke about the charges. The Jets were not aware of the incident until they saw media reports.

"I apologized to my teammates and my organization and I told them they don't have to worry about my name being in the news again," Richardson said of the drug suspension.

Shortly after that, FOX-affiliate KTVI in Missouri first reported the charges against Richardson, who resides in O'Fallon, Missouri.

According to a release issued by the St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Richardson was driving at "exceedingly high rates of speed" on Interstate 64 in "what appeared to be a road race."

In the police incident report, an officer stated that Richardson and the other vehicle were traveling at speeds as high as 143 mph. When the officer attempted to make routine traffic stops on the vehicles, Richardson sped away.

Richardson was identified as the driver of a 2014 Bentley Silver Spur, which also sped through a traffic light before turning off all of the car's lights and pulling into the driveway of a home that wasn't his. Police pulled behind the car and ordered Richardson and his two adult male passengers out of the car at gunpoint.

According to the incident report, Richardson exited the car, along with the passengers and a 12-year-old boy. A fully loaded semi-automatic handgun was found underneath the driver's side floor mat, and the officer said the car smelled of marijuana.

Richardson was issued traffic summonses, and has been ordered to appear in St. Charles County Circuit Court on Oct. 27 for arraignment on the charge of resisting arrest. He was not charged for the gun possession or marijuana. A conviction for resisting arrest is punishable by up to one year in jail, and/or a fine of up to $1,000.00. Richardson's passengers were not charged.

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