Jets’ Sheldon Richardson pleads not guilty

Sheldon Richardson pleaded not-guilty on Monday to charges stemming from his July arrest, this as the New York Jets defensive lineman will now face a court date in early October.

Richardson, arrested several weeks before the start of training camp on counts ranging from speeding to drug possession did not attend Monday’s hearing but had attorney Matthew Fry represent him including the entering of a plea. Richardson was at practice on Monday as the team gets ready for its final preseason game this Thursday night against the Philadelphia Eagles.

He was already facing a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

In the ‘Probable Cause Statement’ signed by the prosecutor’s office for St. Charles County in Missouri, Richardson’s vehicle was clocked at speeds “122, 135 and 143 miles per hour.” The statement details the high-speed car chase in addition to the presence of a fully-loaded semi-automatic hand gun in his vehicle as well as a “very strong odor of burned marijuana emanating from the vehicle.”

In his first public comments at the start of training camp where he addressed the league suspension but was before news of his arrest went public, Richardson declared that “I ain’t no dope fiend.” He has since admitted that he is in counseling.

His trial is set for Oct. 5 and Richardson could be facing a fine as well as jail time. The start of the legal proceedings coincides with the Jets bye week; his suspension from the team will conclude on Oct. 4th following the Jets game against the Miami Dolphins in London and then the team doesn’t play again until Oct. 18th.