Sheldon Richardson pleads not guilty to resisting arrest and traffic charges in Missouri
New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson practice during training camp at the team's training facility in Florham Park, N.J. on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. Credit: Andrew Theodorakis
Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson pleaded not guilty through an attorney on Monday to resisting arrest and various traffic charges stemming from his July 14 arrest in Missouri.
Richardson, 24, was not required to attend Monday's arraignment. He was represented by Matthew D. Fry, an attorney who works for the same St. Louis-based law firm as Richardson's defense attorney of record, Scott Rosenblum.
Both Fry and The St. Charles (Missouri) County Courthouse confirmed to Newsday that Richardson's hearing has been continued to Oct. 5. Fry said Richardson is not ordered to appear in court at that time.
Richardson was charged with resisting arrest -- a Class A misdemeanor that can lead to up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine -- and several traffic violations after Missouri police said he tried to elude cops during an alleged street race. Police clocked Richardson, a Missouri native, going 143 mph with a 12-year-old relative and a concealed loaded gun in the car, according to a police report.
According to a statement, the officer "smelled a very strong odor of burned marijuana emanating from the vehicle and all passengers smelled of burned marijuana."
Richardson, the 2013 defensive rookie of the year and a 2014 Pro Bowler, already has been hit with a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. According to a source, he failed multiple marijuana tests.
Richardson called the uncertainty surrounding his legal troubles "a cloud over my head" because there's a good chance NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will hand down another suspension as a result of his arrest.
"When I get the date that I can actually return, then I can actually start moving forward," Richardson told reporters on Aug. 26.
"I don't know what to expect," he added, referring to the additional discipline he could face from the league. "That's out of my hands. Whatever happens happens . . . I can go from four games to however long he wants it to be. So it's pretty tough.''
