UCLA wide receiver Ishmael Adams gets probation in plea deal over attack on Uber driver
UCLA wide receiver Ishmael Adams pleaded no contest Tuesday to battery after using force to rob a cellphone from an Uber driver in October, officials said.
As part of a negotiated plea agreement, Adams was sentenced to 20 days of community labor, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and psychological counseling, according to Frank Mateljan, a spokesman for the Los Angeles city attorney’s office. Adams also was placed on 36 months’ summary probation and must abide by certain weapons, force and violence restrictions.
Adams was accused of stealing a cellphone from Uber driver Cuong Quoc Tudo on Aug. 30 during a ride in Westwood, according to authorities. He was charged with one misdemeanor count of battery.
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“Mr. Adams deeply regrets this unfortunate incident and hopes that both he and Mr. Tudo can put this matter behind them,” Adams’ attorney, Shawn Holley, said. “Mr. Adams is studying for final exams and planning for his final season playing UCLA football.”
UCLA suspended Adams from the football team immediately after his arrest. He missed three games.
Adams was reinstated to the team in September after the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office declined to file charges against him and instead referred the case to the city attorney’s office.
Adams was a first-time All-Pac-12 Conference choice in 2014.
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Coach Jim Mora and UCLA declined to comment on Adams’ plea.
Following Adams’ reinstatement in September, Mora said the athlete had “shown remorse for the actions. ... He has accepted responsibility. He has accepted the consequences. He has apologized profusely to his teammates and the coaches.”
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