Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas faces new legal problems following his arrest in the early morning hours of June 27 for possessing a truckload of fireworks.
According to TMZ, Arenas was stopped by California Highway Patrol Police at approximately 2:30 a.m. for speeding. As police searched Arenas and his vehicle, they discovered about 20 boxes of fireworks. The LAPD’s bomb squad was called in to handle the situation. TMZ reported that Arenas was released without bail just before 10 a.m. that morning.
According to the California-based Shouse Law Group, “most violations of California’s fireworks laws are misdemeanors, subjecting to a maximum $1,000 fine and up to one year in a county jail. However, if you possess large quantities of dangerous fireworks, prosecutors could charge you with a felony, punishable by up to three years in the California state prison and fines as high as $50,000.”
Arenas spent last season playing in China with the Shanghai Sharks, but the Orlando Magic still owe him about $62 million on his former contract.
Arenas has had several run-ins with the law. Arenas pleaded guilty in January 2010 to bringing four guns into the Washington Wizards’ locker room, revealed during an argument with teammate Javaris Crittenton over money owed in a poker game.
Arenas served 30 days in a halfway house, completed 400 hours of community service and contributed $5,000 to a fund for victims of violence.
