Former NBA, LSU Player Stromile Swift Pleads Guilty to Stalking
Stromile Swift, the second overall pick from the 2000 NBA draft, pleaded guilty to stalking a woman in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Swift received a suspended sentence of six months in jail and was ordered to serve 18 months on supervised probation.
The stalking arrest stems from a series of intimidating acts the former LSU star and NBA journeyman committed against Chaquinita Pouncy.
Swift was arrested last year after Pouncy called police to report that the six-foot-ten-inch man was following her vehicle, reports the Shreveport Times. Pouncy claimed that the two had been arguing prior to the incident.
The nature of Pouncy and Swift's relationship was not reported, but the two had a rocky history. Just six months prior to the vehicle stalking incident, Swift was arrested for showing up at the woman's house with a gun. In addition, Swift had also been arrested for sending Pouncy threatening text messages, reports the Times.
With the suspended sentence, Swift will avoid jail time immediately (and possibly for good). A suspended sentence generally just means that a judge delayed the serving of the prison sentence until a certain time or when certain conditions are met. In Swift's case, he will avoid the six-month prison term so long as he successfully completes his 18-month supervised probation.
A judge will set the conditions of the probation and in Stromile Swift's case they will likely include not stalking the woman, a possible curfew, and perhaps a prohibition from drinking or drug use. If Swift violates any of the terms of probation, he will likely be ordered to jail.
Related Resources:
- DA: Stromile Swift admits stalking, on probation (The Associated Press)
- Stalking and Domestic Violence (FindLaw)
- Jason Kidd Refused Breathalyzer at Scene of DUI (FindLaw's Tarnished Twenty)