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Felony charges dropped against Eastern Michigan University basketball player Emoni Bates

Memphis' Emoni Bates (1) playing against Western Kentucky in an NCAA college basketball game Friday on Nov. 19, 2021, in Memphis, Tenn. (karen pulfer focht, The Associated Press 2021)

Felony charges were dropped against basketball star Emoni Bates after taking a plea deal in a gun case.

The deal dropped the felony charges against the Eastern Michigan University basketball player and allows him to avoid jail time.

Bates, 18, from Ypsilanti, pleaded guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor offense of attempting to transport a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle.

Bates was arrested in September after police found a gun during a traffic stop. He was originally facing two felony gun charges.

“(Bates) borrowed a car with a gun in it, and that’s what he pled to,” Bates’ attorney, Steve Haney, said.

Haney said the misdemeanor charge would at most carry a sentence of two years probation under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act.

Bates was reinstated to the EMU basketball team last week after a plea deal was reached.

Related: Eastern Michigan basketball star Emoni Bates reinstated as felony charges set to be dismissed

The judge adjusted Bates’ bond to allow him to travel outside the state for trips pertaining to his EMU basketball schedule.

Bates’ sentencing hearing is set for Dec. 14.


Previous: Eastern Michigan basketball star Emoni Bates suspended from team following gun arrest


About the Author
Jacqueline Francis headshot

Jacqueline Francis is an award-winning journalist who joined the WDIV team in September 2022. Prior to Local 4, she reported for the NBC affiliate in West Michigan. When she’s not on the job, Jacqueline enjoys taking advantage of all the wonders Michigan has to offer, from ski trips up north to beach days with her dog, Ace.

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