SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (June 30, 2005) -- Detroit Lions defensive end Kalimba Edwards pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly conduct and failing to produce a driver's license during a traffic stop in May, and was sentenced to one year of probation.
Edwards entered the pleas June 29 to the two misdemeanor charges, the court said. Because of the pleas, a felony charge of resisting and obstructing police was amended to the disorderly charge.
Judge Shelia Johnson of the 46th District Court sentenced Edwards to the probation, to be served through the Oakland County First Offenders program, the court said. He also was ordered to pay $820 in fines and court costs.
According to Michigan State Police, the Edwards refused to produce his driver's license after being pulled over by a trooper in Southfield. The trooper warned him that if he did not show his license, he would be placed under arrest, state police said.
When he refused again, the trooper asked Edwards to step out of his vehicle and proceeded to arrest him, but Edwards resisted by not allowing the trooper to put both handcuffs on him, state police said.
The trooper called local police for backup, and when the officers arrived, pepper spray was used to force Edwards to comply.
State police stressed that Edwards wasn't aggressive and didn't attempt to assault the officers.
The Lions drafted Edwards in the second round in 2002. He led the team in sacks his rookie year.
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