Fact Check: "In June 2020, he pleaded no contest to a felony burglary with battery charge and two lesser misdemeanor charges."
What We Know
On June 12, 2020, NFL free agent Antonio Brown pleaded no contest to a felony burglary with battery charge and two lesser misdemeanor charges. This plea was related to an incident involving a moving truck company outside his home in Hollywood, Florida, which occurred in January 2020. As part of the plea agreement, Brown faced no jail time but was sentenced to two years of probation, 100 hours of community service, and mandatory participation in a psychological evaluation and a 13-week anger management program (ESPN, The Guardian).
Brown's attorney characterized the incident as a misunderstanding over payment for moving services, stating that the charges were excessive given the circumstances. The no-contest plea allowed Brown to accept the consequences without formally admitting guilt, and it was noted that adjudication was withheld, meaning he would not have a felony record as a result of this plea (ESPN, SI).
Analysis
The claim that Antonio Brown pleaded no contest to a felony burglary with battery charge and two lesser misdemeanor charges in June 2020 is supported by multiple credible sources. The details of the plea, including the nature of the charges and the conditions of his sentence, are consistently reported across reputable news outlets such as ESPN and The Guardian.
Brown's situation was complicated by the fact that he was involved in a civil dispute with the moving company, which escalated to criminal charges. His attorney's comments about the case being overcharged provide context but do not negate the fact that Brown did plead no contest to the charges (ESPN, The Guardian). The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established sports news organizations with a history of accurate reporting.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Antonio Brown pleaded no contest to a felony burglary with battery charge and two lesser misdemeanor charges in June 2020 is accurate. The details surrounding the plea, including the lack of jail time and the conditions imposed, are well-documented and corroborated by multiple credible sources.
