Antonio Brown Avoids Jail By Pleading Guilty To Lesser Charge

Former NFL star Antonio Brown avoided prison by pleading guilty to aggravated assault with a firearm on Friday. In exchange for the plea deal, he will serve three years of probation instead of facing up to 30 years in state prison or life without parole if convicted of attempted murder.

Brown must also undergo mandatory psychological evaluations and weekly counseling as conditions of his sentence. His defense attorney noted that Brown was initially charged with a crime carrying a minimum twenty-year mandatory sentence, which he could not refuse when offered probation instead.

The incident occurred on May 16 at a boxing match in Miami after Brown allegedly grabbed a handgun from security to shoot an opponent he had been fighting earlier. The victim sustained minor injuries and reportedly preferred the case be closed rather than face prosecution.