SASKATOON – Former Saskatoon Hilltops star Adrian Charles has been sentenced for possession of a prohibited weapon.
The judge sentenced Charles to three years in jail less two months time for time served.
He was also given a three-year concurrent sentence for being in a vehicle where he knew a firearm was present and 18-months concurrent for cocaine possession.
Charles was found guilty in April of this year on the weapons and drug charges, which date back to 2008 when he was arrested by Saskatoon police on outstanding attempted murder charges in Ontario.
The attempted murder charges were later stayed.
A search of his vehicle turned up a loaded handgun and some cocaine under the floor mat of his BMW.
The former running back, who also played for the University of Regina Rams, testified at his trial that he had no idea the cocaine and the gun were in his vehicle.
Charles was acquitted on a charge of possessing a firearm knowing the serial number had been removed.
The judge said consideration should be given to allow Charles to serve his jail time in Ontario where he has a young son.
It was the second time Charles stood trial on the charges.
He was acquitted in 2011 when a judge threw out the evidence against him on the grounds police had failed to have a Saskatchewan judge authorize the Ontario attempted murder warrants.
The Crown won a second trial on appeal.
During the second trial, Charles’ lawyer argued the evidence should still be inadmissible because police didn’t have a search warrant for his car.
The judge ruled the search was constitutional.
With files from The Canadian Press
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