Cleveland Cavaliers star Delonte West indicted on additional charges in Maryland

WASHINGTON - Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West(notes) was indicted Tuesday on additional weapons and traffic charges stemming from his Sept. 17 arrest for speeding on a motorcycle and carrying multiple weapons.

The eight-count indictment sheds no new light on why West, 26, was riding a motorcycle on the Capital Beltway in Prince George's County, Md., at 10 p.m. with two loaded handguns and a loaded shotgun. Prosecutors on Wednesday added an 8½-inch Bowie knife to the list of concealed weapons West was carrying.

It's illegal in Maryland to carry concealed weapons and to transport loaded handguns.

West was indicted on two counts of carrying a dangerous weapon, two counts of carrying a handgun, two counts of transporting a handgun, and one count each of reckless driving and negligent driving. The charges are all misdemeanours. Each weapons count carries a penalty of up to three years in prison.

West was initially charged with just two counts of carrying a handgun and with driving in excess of reasonable and prudent speed.

Court records don't list a lawyer for West. His agent, Noah Croom, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

West has been treated in the past for bipolar disorder, and last week his wife filed a domestic violence report against him in Ohio. No charges have been filed.

West, who could still face a league suspension over the charges in Maryland, made his season debut during Saturday night's 90-79 win against Charlotte, scoring 13 points in 24 minutes. He was expected to play in Tuesday night's game against Washington.

Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry, who along with team doctors has been handling West's delicate state on a daily basis, issued a statement following the release of the new charges against West.

"It is our understanding that today's developments are part of the legal process that continues to take place with Delonte and he and his legal counsel will handle that," Ferry said. "We will continue to take this matter very seriously and monitor and respect the legal process as it proceeds, but not speculate or comment about it."

Cavs coach Mike Brown didn't want to speculate on the possibility of West doing jail time.

"I believe in the process, I'm going to let it unfold and go from there," Brown said.

After the arrest, West reported to training camp on time but missed the team's first four practices without an excuse. He returned, but then left the team for a week to deal with personal matters. He missed all eight pre-season games and Cleveland's first three regular-season games.

West, who lives in Brandywine, Md., was riding a three-wheel motorcycle when he cut off a police officer on the beltway in Upper Marlboro, authorities said. The officer pulled him over, and the weapons were discovered.

Prince George's County State's Attorney Glenn Ivey said West will likely be arraigned by the end of the week, and the case could go to trial early next year.

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AP Sports Writer Tom Withers in Cleveland contributed to this report.

5 Comments

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  1. Jesse
    5. Posted by Jesse Wed Nov 4 1:47pm EST

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    I would disagree with the pointy-headed comments of bbstrat2003 (your Klan membership may need renewing). It seems not to be a racial thing, but a question of lack of brain power. It is also never cool to have a 3-wheeled motorcycle (that in itself should merit three years in prison).
  2. <i>b.jolley</i>
    4. Posted by b.jolley Wed Nov 4 9:37am EST

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    he was framed
  3. bbstrat2003
    3. Posted by bbstrat2003 Wed Nov 4 7:04am EST

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    Once a Ghetto Gangsta--always a ghetto gangsta!---Another example of an absolutely dumb pro athlete with too much cash and zero brain power. The NBA needs to get rid of all the little Gangsta types who play in their league. They hate 'whitey' to, who just so happens to buy most of the NBA game tickets...wonderful!
  4. Doose
    2. Posted by Doose Tue Nov 3 10:31pm EST

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    Never cut off a police officer on a 3-wheel motorcycle.
  5. Rotten
    1. Posted by Rotten Tue Nov 3 9:00pm EST

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    Holy crap.
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