Bears' star Johnson thrown in the tank
(http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/299733,CST-NWS-Tank16.article)
March 16, 2007
BY ERIC HERMAN Staff Reporter
Chicago Bears defenseman Terry "Tank" Johnson trotted out his coach, his best-known teammate and his life story -- but none of it kept him out of jail.
Judge John Moran sentenced Johnson to 120 days in jail Thursday for violating his probation in a 2005 weapons case. Sheriff's deputies took a visibly stunned Johnson into custody immediately afterward.
"As a young kid, I grew up hard . . . I have made some mistakes in my life that are well-documented," Johnson told Moran before being sentenced in a Skokie courtroom. But, he said, "I don't believe I am a man who belongs in jail. I believe I deserve a chance to get it right."
Johnson had pleaded guilty in February to violating his probation, a move seen as an effort to forestall jail time. Moran could have sentenced Johnson to more probation or up to 364 days in jail.
Lovie, Urlacher testify
Bears head coach Lovie Smith and star linebacker Brian Urlacher took the stand to testify as character witnesses for Johnson.
"There are good guys and there are bad guys. Tank Johnson's a good guy," said Smith, citing the affection his teammates and children have for him. Putting Johnson in jail "would be devastating, short-term and long-term," Smith said.
Urlacher described Johnson as a "good friend" with whom he often spends his free time. In the week before the Super Bowl in Miami, they went fishing together, Urlacher said.
"I don't think he's a criminal. I think he's a good guy," Urlacher said. "My little daughter calls him 'Uncle Tank.' "
Johnson's legal woes began in June 2005, when he was arrested for having a loaded handgun in his truck. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was sentenced to 18 months' probation, which would have ended in May.
Nobody's 'above the law'
In December of last year, Gurnee police raided Johnson's house and said they found six guns, bullets and two ounces of marijuana.
Johnson's lawyers pointed out that the marijuana belonged to Johnson's friend and bodyguard Willie Posey, who was slain in a downtown nightclub days later.
Near North District Officer Thomas Goggin testified about a February 2006 traffic incident on Rush Street in which Johnson became "enraged" and threatened officers. Charges against Johnson were later dropped.
"This defendant has been given numerous chances and opportunities. It's a situation where nobody should be above the law," said prosecutor Richard Cenar.
Lorna Propes, Johnson's lawyer, speculated that the sentence was higher because her client is famous. Johnson bought the guns legally, she noted, and is only charged in Lake County with failing to have proper identification.
Will likely serve 60 days
Johnson also was sentenced to pay a $2,500 fine. He will likely only serve 60 days of his sentence, getting "day for day credit" for good behavior.
In the jail, Johnson will be in "protective custody," which minimizes contact with other inmates, said Bill Cunningham of the Cook County sheriff's office. He will live in an 8-foot-by-10-foot cell that has a bed, a toilet and a small sink. He will be let out of the cell twice a day for about an hour to visit an area that has showers, televisions and phones.
The protective custody wing houses mostly non- violent drug offenders.
eherman@suntimes.com
Still faces Lake County charges
Tank Johnson's legal troubles might not be over. He still faces misdemeanor charges in Lake County for failing to have a firearm owner's ID card while possessing six guns, including a loaded assault rifle, at his Gurnee home. If convicted, he faces up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
(http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/299733,CST-NWS-Tank16.article)
March 16, 2007
BY ERIC HERMAN Staff Reporter
Chicago Bears defenseman Terry "Tank" Johnson trotted out his coach, his best-known teammate and his life story -- but none of it kept him out of jail.
Judge John Moran sentenced Johnson to 120 days in jail Thursday for violating his probation in a 2005 weapons case. Sheriff's deputies took a visibly stunned Johnson into custody immediately afterward.
"As a young kid, I grew up hard . . . I have made some mistakes in my life that are well-documented," Johnson told Moran before being sentenced in a Skokie courtroom. But, he said, "I don't believe I am a man who belongs in jail. I believe I deserve a chance to get it right."
Johnson had pleaded guilty in February to violating his probation, a move seen as an effort to forestall jail time. Moran could have sentenced Johnson to more probation or up to 364 days in jail.
Lovie, Urlacher testify
Bears head coach Lovie Smith and star linebacker Brian Urlacher took the stand to testify as character witnesses for Johnson.
"There are good guys and there are bad guys. Tank Johnson's a good guy," said Smith, citing the affection his teammates and children have for him. Putting Johnson in jail "would be devastating, short-term and long-term," Smith said.
Urlacher described Johnson as a "good friend" with whom he often spends his free time. In the week before the Super Bowl in Miami, they went fishing together, Urlacher said.
"I don't think he's a criminal. I think he's a good guy," Urlacher said. "My little daughter calls him 'Uncle Tank.' "
Johnson's legal woes began in June 2005, when he was arrested for having a loaded handgun in his truck. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was sentenced to 18 months' probation, which would have ended in May.
Nobody's 'above the law'
In December of last year, Gurnee police raided Johnson's house and said they found six guns, bullets and two ounces of marijuana.
Johnson's lawyers pointed out that the marijuana belonged to Johnson's friend and bodyguard Willie Posey, who was slain in a downtown nightclub days later.
Near North District Officer Thomas Goggin testified about a February 2006 traffic incident on Rush Street in which Johnson became "enraged" and threatened officers. Charges against Johnson were later dropped.
"This defendant has been given numerous chances and opportunities. It's a situation where nobody should be above the law," said prosecutor Richard Cenar.
Lorna Propes, Johnson's lawyer, speculated that the sentence was higher because her client is famous. Johnson bought the guns legally, she noted, and is only charged in Lake County with failing to have proper identification.
Will likely serve 60 days
Johnson also was sentenced to pay a $2,500 fine. He will likely only serve 60 days of his sentence, getting "day for day credit" for good behavior.
In the jail, Johnson will be in "protective custody," which minimizes contact with other inmates, said Bill Cunningham of the Cook County sheriff's office. He will live in an 8-foot-by-10-foot cell that has a bed, a toilet and a small sink. He will be let out of the cell twice a day for about an hour to visit an area that has showers, televisions and phones.
The protective custody wing houses mostly non- violent drug offenders.
eherman@suntimes.com
Still faces Lake County charges
Tank Johnson's legal troubles might not be over. He still faces misdemeanor charges in Lake County for failing to have a firearm owner's ID card while possessing six guns, including a loaded assault rifle, at his Gurnee home. If convicted, he faces up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
