Keith Appling, the 24-year-old former Michigan State University basketball star has been arrested a second time on weapons related charges. This is, according to media sources, the second time that Appling has been arrested in the last few months on charges related to a carrying a concealed weapon in Michigan.
The first arrest happened took place outside the Pantheon Club, a strip club in Dearborn, MI. Club security personnel allegedly saw Appling pull an AK-47 from the trunk of his vehicle. The incident was reported to police, who arrived at the club and approached Appling, seated in the driver’s seat of a dark blue Dodge Challenger.
Officers searched the vehicle and found a handgun under the front seat, a loaded weapon in the trunk of the car, and also a small amount of what police suspect was marijuana. Appling was arrested and charged with Carrying a Concealed Weapon, which is a five-year felony; Possession of a Loaded Firearm in a Vehicle, which is a two-year high court misdemeanor (which is treated like a felony; and Possession of Marijuana, which is a one-year misdemeanor.
Just days before Appling was due to appear in court for his preliminary hearing on that first criminal case, he was arrested again, this time for Carrying a Concealed Weapon. According to police records, the incident took place when officers on patrol stopped a Dodge Charger that was speeding. The vehicle belonged to Appling’s brother. Although Appling was not the driver, an officer is said to have seen him place a weapon under the seat.
He could be charged as a second habitual offender
Appling was arrested again, but according to his attorney, he has not been formally charged in connection with this most recent incident. Under Michigan law, Carrying a Concealed Weapon is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, fines of up to $2,500 or both, along with possible forfeiture of the weapon involved. If Appling is convicted of a felony for the first offense, he could be charged as a second habitual offender in the second case. The would enhance his possible prison time in the second case.
Weapons related charges are taken very seriously by judges and prosecutors alike all over Michigan. Many weapons charges carry mandatory prison time. They need to be defended by an expert criminal defense attorney with decades of experience handling gun charges. The attorneys at the Kronzek Firm have represented people accused of weapons-related crimes over the years, and have a high success rate with these types of cases. If you have been accused of carrying, discharging, possessing or selling weapons, contact us immediately at 866-766-5245. We can help you.