May 20, 2008
FSU starter pleads guilty drug possession, concealed weapon
FSU starting WR Preston Parker, perhaps the only star on the Seminoles roster, has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges stemming from an April traffic stop arrest.
Parker was charged with possessing less than 20 grams of marijuana and a misdemeanor weapons charge for carrying a loaded .45-caliber pistol in the dash of his car. The Florida State starter was sentenced to time served for the weapons charge and placed on one year of probation and ordered to serve 50 hours of community service for the marijuana charge. He is also forbidden from having contact with the two other men who were in the car with him when he got arrested, as a condition of his probation.
This was not Parker's first run-in with the law. It was believed that he was serving probation at the time of his arrest for stealing a $9.99 DVD in 2006, however, the Sun Sentinel says that the petty larceny charge was "recently resolved".
For that reason, presumably, the state prosecutor offered Parker a reduced weapons charge, instead of a felony count that would have cost him his career with the Seminoles.
"Rather than make him a felon, it's more appropriate for a 21-year-old kid in college who can make something of himself," [Assistant State Attorney Alan Johnson] said. "The only reason he wasn't eligible for (a pre-trial intervention program) is because of the misdemeanor petty theft charge."
For its part, the university has placed Parker on athletic probation and suspended him for the first two (meaningless) games of the season, against FCS opponents Western Carolina and UT-Chattanooga.
"Preston made a very serious mistake and there are consequences when one of our boys gets in trouble," FSU Coach Bobby Bowden said in a statement released by the school. "Preston will have the opportunity to continue as a student and as an athlete at Florida State but he will have to earn that right."
According to the Chopping Block blog, Parker must also meet the following conditions of his athletic probation at Florida State:
- Move into a supervised dorm
- Attend weekly study hall sessions
- Perform an additional 50 hours of community service
- Attend weekly sessions with athletic compliance
- Submit to bi-weekly drug testing
- Mentor at-risk students through Leon County Schools
Parker issued an apology to the court, FSU, and his teammates.
"First off, I want to apologize to my teammates, fans and most of all my family for placing them in the middle of this kind of predicament. I fully blame myself for being in this situation, because it could’ve easily been avoided.I also want you to know that whatever my consequences are, I will complete them and complete them in a respectful manner. One message I want the young people to realize is that making a sacrifice for yourself to pursue your dream is not a joke. This situation was a big eye-opener for me and made me realize how your life could be easily ruined over nonsense and lack of focus.
This is a learning experience for me and still has a learning effect on me today as we speak. One thing I can say is that I will get through this dark road, not trying to rush through it, but taking one step at a time.
This is my plan, and not just my plan for today or tomorrow, but forever. This is because there will be tons of choices I will have to make in the future in order to become a successful person, player and teammate. Finger pointing isn’t a route I will take because I fully blame myself for being in the type of situation that I am dealing with right now.
To all the kids who look up to me and see me as a role model in their lives and football careers, I speak from my heart when I tell you that I apologize for making a bad decision and also letting you down.
I pray and hope that you won’t look at me as a bad person. I am not a thug, I am not a gangster, and most definitely I am not a thief.
I don’t know what the future holds, but I promise whatever it is I will make my teammates coaches, fans, family and above all my son proud of me on and off the field. I am truly sorry and I apologize to everyone."
Earlier this week, Bowden had walked a tightrope when asked about Parker having a gun. The Miami Hurricanes instituted a gun ban a few years back to deter players from owning weapons, but -- in his own, folksy way -- Bowden said he isn't ready to go that far.
When asked about the situation, Bowden said, "I hate to say this, but if you are in certain neighborhoods, you better have a gun. You have to protect yourself and your family. I really hate to say that, but it's the way things have gotten."Bowden seemed reluctant to have an outright ban on guns for his players at home, sensing it would be hypocritical of him.
"I've got one, too."
On the field, this translates into a whole lot of... nothing, really, other than a huge sigh of relief from the FSU coaches.
The decision by the prosecutor not to bring a felony charge (which reeks of some "home cooking", by the way) essentially saved Parker's career and the Seminoles hopes of an 8+ win season. Parker is the lone stud on the Florida State offense. Without him, the 'Noles would have sucked... more.
Comments:
AUTigerFan08 said:
posted on May 20, 2008 11:11 AM — 74.239.251.222 — link — abuse?
I am so tried of hearing about all these KIDS getting into trouble of this kind. Bowden saying if you are in certain neighborhoods you better have a gun? WFT why not say YOU need to stay the HELL away from those types of places so you don't get into trouble. NO felony come on everybody should be held to the same standard. If I had been the one in this situation I would have been throwm under the Jail house for sure. These kids (all schools have them) need to be dealt with harshly from the get go and that way you send a message to everyone recruits and parents that this type of behavior is not tolerated anywhere. It's a sad day in this world when you have one Tim Tebow to 1000 dumba$$ thugs.Now I'll get off my soap box.
posted on May 20, 2008 12:21 PM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue
said:
@TampaGator - Parker runs with (what is considered by Noles fans as) the "thug contingent" of the team. Guys that have a lot of buddies from the wrong neighborhoods.
And I fully cop to being a little gunshy on the FSU thing, but I wonder if every kid arrested in the same circumstances would have gotten the same break.
TE
posted on May 20, 2008 2:36 PM — 70.180.43.182 — link — abuse? said:
This is nothing compared to what the University of Florida's 1938 team did while on Spring Break in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
They put Lux soap in the fountain of the hotel, and then later did not tip on a $16 dollar dinner bill at a local restaurant.
I am tired of the biased reporting between the FSU owner of this site...
Wait...I'm sorry...I blacked out for a minute...I had this dream that gatorhippy took over my computer...
Gator Boys said:
posted on May 20, 2008 2:54 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
He's obviously a thug. You don't just accidentally have a gun. And he definately didnt accidentally steal a DVD.
This is the response everybody gives. Whether you're sorry or not. Whether you'll actually change or not. I'm tired of these thugs too, especially FSU thugs.
Zac said:
posted on May 20, 2008 3:11 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
OK, we have petty theft of a $10.00 DVD, drug possession, and a concealed handgun charge; all by an individual who is a starter on the football team of a major program, who also has a son.
On the one hand, you bust his a$$ hard, and he looses everything: education, scholarship, potential career, even his family. Oh, and lets not forget, he's not the only one that loses. His son would lose a father.
On the other hand, if you don't bust him, you arguably set a bad precedent. HS prospective colligate athletes, not to mention other colligate athletes themselves, also think they can get away with anything. Then, as a couple of you have eluded to, there's the double standard: College & Pro athletes do it, they get a slap on the wrist. Someone else, like any one of us, does it and they get hard time.
I don't want to see young men lost to the prison system. There is no "rehabilitation" to be had under that environment. Besides, most of us on here have agreed; everyone deserves a 2nd chance. Rightly or wrongly, the legal system has given Preston Parker a 2nd chance. I say he should make the most of it, if for nothing else, for the sake of his son. Just a thought.
TampaGator said:
posted on May 20, 2008 3:57 PM — 71.100.203.247 — link — abuse?
Kevin/#3:
From what I read above, I can assure you that this is not unusual treatment. I've seen cases with much worse facts get even more lenient treatment--for non-fb players/lower profile kids.
Qick recap:
Poss'n of less than 20 grams of pot (not coke, crack, or meth...);
No intent to distribute;
His only prior was a petit theft;
OK, he had a loaded gun. He hadn't discharged it, wasn't waving it around, aming it at anyone, threatening to use it...just had it. Yes, the prosecutor could have gone either way with the gun; however, this kid doesn't appear to be fatally flawed; he's on the cusp, so another opp'y is completely in order IMO, whether or not he plays fb.
Gator Boys/#5, AutigerFan/#2:Your kids may one day need a chance or two to get their own ships righted--I doubt y'all'd be calling for your own to be branded "convicted felon(s)" based on the above. Once you brand a kid "felon", he's f&@%d for life...and seriously--who got hurt by this kid's actions? The store with the $9.99 DVD? (I'm sure he paid that back as part of Prob'n).
If he blows this chance, I'll join the lynch mob. Happily. But I like the redemptive potential in this case, and even though he's a 'nole, I'll be pulling for him to keep good.
My $.02.
GO GATORS!!AUTigerFan08 said:
posted on May 20, 2008 4:09 PM — 74.239.251.222 — link — abuse?
Zac #7
It is MHO that giving these athletes a second chance for the most part is giving them a second chance to screw up. And this guys kid may very well be better off without him( not very much a father figure in my book). What kind of message are the schools sending these guys that it's ok to be a bad role model and criminal as long as you say your sory after the fact? PLEASEEEEE tougher penalities and stricter guidelines for these players are the only way these types of incidents will start to decrease.
If someone where to give me a free ride to school, I think that I could stay out of trouble for four years while I worked on my degree or honed my skills for the NFL if that was my goal. I know that everyone makes mistakes but if you don't pay for your mistakes you are more likely to repeat them. As the sayings go "a burned hand teaches best".AUTigerFan08 said:
posted on May 20, 2008 4:42 PM — 74.239.251.222 — link — abuse?
Ok TampaGator
I had to go back and reread the thread so as to make sure I understood it all. He's already had a second chance. This was his SECOND arrest. And if my son ever does these things then yes he would be a felon and there would be little I could do about it.
And it's not just the $9.99 DVD, it's the lost time from work for the security personel for court,lawyer fees, and court costs.
BB needs to go,he has lost the ability to recriut players that perform well on and off the field. There appears to be no end in site of the downward spiral for FSU until the powers that be finally decide to make some major changes down there.Zac said:
posted on May 20, 2008 5:11 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
AUTigger, I respect your opinion. You're absolutely right. Giving one a 2nd chance is giving them a chance to screw up again. That is true, IF they choose to screw up. That door swings both ways. They can just as easily make amends, learn from the experience, become better for it, and help prevent it in others, IF they choose.
With Mr. Parker it's now a matter of making choices. Whether or not he makes the right ones is up to him.I'm with TampaGator on this. Parker's current criminal history is unremarkable; it's not one which speaks of a repeat offender, drug addict, or "thug" to me. The DVD was a small item; a few grams of Mary-Jane is hardly much worse. While there are certainly laws & restrictions, as far as the gun goes, I'm of the opinion he was exercising the right to keep and bare arms as protected under the 2nd amendment of our constitution. Besides, we've all heard of some of the questionable neighborhoods in FL. Sometimes in the process of going from a given point A to a given point B, for the sake of expediency and efficiency you have to go through such neighborhoods. FL is hardly the only state which has such them. One should be prepared, or at least be allowed the option.
As for his son: At the age of 21, Mr. Parker is arguably a bit young to be a father. It takes a great deal of patience, responsibility, and wisdom (of which I too am in short supply), not to mention a lot of trial & error, to raise a kid, let alone multiple kids. The point is you can't judge this young man's fatherhood on a single count of petty theft, gun ownership, and a few grams of weed. I've known fathers who've done far worse and their kids turned out just fine. To be fair, I've also known people who I thought were supportive loving parents, whose kids turned out to be monsters. Sometimes there's just no figuring it. Not a week goes by that I don't find myself beating myself up over one or more ways in which I may have failed my kids.
The good news for Parker, given he's 21, it is likely his son is far too young to at all understand what daddy did, and what could have happened to him as a result. Maybe one day with a little luck and much love, Parker will be able to apply this toward a lesser mistake his son makes; that his son won't make the same or larger mistakes later. We can only hope.
1st_and_NOLE
posted on May 20, 2008 6:51 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse? said:
I guess this makes Preston Parker a "possession WR"
Ok, on a serious note...
First, Preston's actions both recently and in his past are inexcusable as a representative of Florida State. Did he make mistakes? Yes. Does everyone make mistakes? Yes. However, I've never made the mistake of carrying a concealed weapon on me. I've never made the mistake of shop lifting a cheap ass DVD. I've never make the mistake of having drugs on me. Am I perfect? No I'm not. I've made mistakes too. Most people haven't made the mistakes PP did. Because of his mistakes Preston has embarrassed FSU, his coaches, his fans; more importantly his embarrassed his family and himself.
With that said, I do like his apology. But, like all apologies, it's only words. Words are nothing without actions to back them up. So, given the fact Parker's been given another chance (right or wrong, he's got another chance), I expect to see him live up to the words of his apology. What's most important is that Parker improves himself as a person and gets on the right track in life. I'll be pulling for him to succeed off the field first and foremost. I'm confident he'll continue to succeed on the field.
Now, to address some other issues...
"The decision by the prosecutor not to bring a felony charge (which reeks of some "home cooking", by the way) essentially saved Parker's career and the Seminoles hopes of an 8+ win season. Parker is the lone stud on the Florida State offense. Without him, the 'Noles would have sucked... more."
I disagree this reeks of "home cooking" for a simple reason. I believe he was arrested by Palm Beach Gardens Police. That's really no where close to Tallahassee. So, it's not exactly like the local FSU DA is cutting his kid a break.
In regards to Bowden not wanting a "no gun policy" I'm torn on this. I like the fact Miami has one (at least vocally). However, if a kid legally owns a gun, I'm not sure what legal grounds FSU would have to prevent an athlete from having a gun. If legal, it's someone's constitutional right to have a gun. I'm not a lawyer so I have no idea how that'd play out. I like the idea of having a no gun policy but I'm not sure if it'd have a legal leg to stand on when it gets down to it.
As far as Parker's punishment, suspension aside, I really love it. I think the additional things will help Parker as a person. In terms of the two game suspension, I think it's 1-2 games too short. I'd like to see him suspended 3 games, maybe 4. But, he was only given two games because frankly, we'll be missing a huge part of our team the first 3 games due to the academic suspensions. I'm sure the coaches want him back in time for WF given how many people will still be suspended and WF has beat us two years in a row.
Those are my initial thoughts. I may have more to add later.
posted on May 20, 2008 7:16 PM — link — abuse? said:
I think it would be naive to think that there weren't multiple attempts to influence the DA's office. FSU may not have a majority presence in many places, but there is no shortage of powerful boosters in that part of the state, especially in the legal profession.
As for the gun policy - owning a gun is a right. Playing football at FSU is not. Therefore, if you want to play, you have to abide by the team rules. It's quite simple. Does that mean that one's rights are impugned? No, not in the least. It means that players must make a voluntary decision not to own a gun in order to partake in a privilege (ie playing college football).
I think a six-game suspension would have sent the right message.
TampaGator said:
posted on May 21, 2008 11:18 AM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
Gator Boys/#16:
Apples and oranges. Hornsby was also on his second chance--but what he did by taking advantage of a team mate and his deceased g/f's deaths--was FRAUD, to the tune of $3,000.00. That is felonious by definition (...though again, I am familiar with instances of fraud and theft for higher amounts that this, resulting in withhold of adjudication (i.e.--NOT convicted of felony)).
This kid had some damn weed, and HAD (not used) a gun. Clearly wiggle room. The prosecutor even said "...if not for the $9.99 dvd matter, the case would have been disposed of through pretrial intervention" (paraphrasing). That's outside of the crimial arena altogether.
I think y'all are underestimating the significance of being convicted of a felony, and the difference between misdemeanor and felony conduct. They are night and day, and generally treated accordingly.
e.g.--$9.99 dvd = misdemeanor petit theft;
$3,000.00 unauthorized use of another's
credit card=felony.I shouldn't give a shit; he's a 'nole, and bad for FSU is usually good for UF...but truth is truth, so I maintian my stand.
_________________________________________
I'll agree with Kevin and 1st n nole on this much though:Playing FB is priviledge, not right, and even though I don't think the conduct is felonious, it is criminal, and therefore unworthy--in an unforgiving world--of ambassador status for major CFB program anywhere. (Fortunately for Parker, and FSU Fan, CFB is a very forgiving world).
So if your gripe is with BB and FSU for allowing him to remain on team, and play, I'll keep my peace.
If your desire is to broaden the scope of felony conduct in its application through the criminal code, I maintain my objections.
________________________________________________
Zac:I agree about Parker's kid, but that's usually not a very compelling argument; usually snubbed with "you shoulda' thought of that before you did it". Helps judges and prosecutors sleep better at night.
________________________________________________AUTigerFan: I know we're speaking hypothetically here, but if your son were in this situation, and your advice to him was to "man up" and cop to a felony--that's just bad advice, IMO. The real world ramifications would be brutal; the punishment would be way disproportionate to the crime--and your son, who would clearly have the had the potential for redemption--would instead, be left at a huge disadvantage for the rest of his life. Seriously man, isn't life difficult enough as it is? You'd stack the deck further against your own kid????
...please defer to your son's attorney if he finds himself in such a jam...
...and here's praying that none of us are ever confronted with such a situation.
My $.02.
GO GATORS!!Tampa Hurricane
posted on May 21, 2008 12:22 PM — 24.96.199.254 — link — abuse? said:
I have a quick question about this case. Does anyone know more specifics about the phrase "carrying a loaded .45-caliber pistol in the dash of his car"?
The reason that I ask is when I took the course to get my CWP (concealed weapons permit) [a lot more people legally have guns on them then the average person realizes] in Florida, the law allows individuals without a permit to carry a loaded gun around in the car as long is it is in a closed compartment (i.e. glove compartment with latch, center counsil with latched lid) and not on property that carrying weapons is illegal (government building, sports venue, bar, etc).
gatorhippy
posted on May 22, 2008 3:49 PM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse? said:
Left out of all of this is the fact that Parker also had a previous run ins with PB Co. Authorities as recent as March of this year as well as two other ones when he was 18 in August of 2005...
Seems to be a pattern which begs us to ponder...
How many incidents are/have been expunged or withheld from when he was a minor?
posted on May 22, 2008 5:57 PM — 68.211.170.52 — link — abuse? said:
T-Cane: Amen. Here in GA, the law just went into effect last week adding a list of places that you can lawfully bring a CW. It's always been legal to have one in your car. Naturally, you should disclose it if you get pulled over if it's not in plain view. You can sling a rifle over your shoulder or wear a holstered pistol and go many places and still be within the law.
The instances of people with CWPs committing crimes are so pitifully low that liberals are the only ones threatened by it...
Tomcat said:
posted on May 23, 2008 12:21 AM — 69.150.213.9 — link — abuse?
#18 TG & #20 WEA Every state is completely different, for example here, without a permit it has to be in plain veiw, in the glove box or under the seat is a violation.
Rule of thumb, if your pulled over turn on the dome light and hold your hands up.
Where's 40 acres ?
#11 Got me laughing- thanks Kev
probation for a stolen $9.99 DVD, I guess the judge in this case was fair and impartial, I am unaware of the specifics, but come on, its kinda like eating a melon out of the feild-right?
Now eating a melon is stealing and I'm not condoneing it, but I guess if your going to go down for it heck steal a whole truckload.
BTW does anybody know the title of the movie?
Benji? Bambi? Debbie does- nevermind
WEA top ten stolen DVD's ?
We all know that if your on probation that you cant carry a weapon.
Best of luck to this young man and his future
Hookem-Horns
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TampaGator said:
posted on May 20, 2008 11:03 AM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?Kevin:
"...The decision by the prosecutor not to bring a felony charge (which reeks of some "home cooking", by the way) essentially saved Parker's career..."
It may just be that you're actually being a bit overly critical of the situation, perhaps even cynical, probably in order to avoid the appearance of bias.
The fact of the matter is that prosecutors--almost by definition--exercise a broad degree of discretion ("prosecutorial discretion"). I say by definition, because they are so brutally outmaned, in terms of crimes which may/can be prosecuted, versus the personnel to prosecute them, that they have to exercise judgment to determine which ones to prosecute, and how severely to prosecute them (that's a big part of what made the Duke Lacrosse case so egregious; what, there weren't enough f&%#n bad guys for Nafong to prosecute, that he had to manufacture a f%&#n case??? I digress....).
A college kid with good prospects, a minor record, and conduct which could go either way--the treatment is IMO, not at all a strech. If this kid was a "thug" or otherwise appeared not to have potential for righting his ship, the prosecutor probably goes after him hard. Instead, he sees remorse, potential, and the nature of the alleged criminal conduct is just not that compelling (e.g.--fraud, violence, drug dealing, or such). In fact, the treatment appears perfectly appropriate.
Frankly, it would have been huge shame if they made him a felon on these facts.
Even to a Gator.
My $.02.
GO GATORS!!