Ex-basketball phenom busted with car filled with loaded guns
By Joe Marino and Chris Perez
June 11, 2017 | 8:21pm
Former Big Apple basketball sensation Sebastian Telfair was busted early Sunday in Brooklyn with a bulletproof vest and a small arsenal inside his truck, police sources said.
The 32-year-old had been with another man, identified as Jami Thomas, 18, when cops pulled him over in Bed-Stuy around 2:50 a.m. and uncovered the weapons cache during a routine traffic stop, according to authorities.
All in all, officers found three loaded pistols, a gas-operated submachine gun, extended magazines, ammunition and the ballistic vest.
The pair had been driving in a Ford F-150 pickup truck without the headlights on, prompting officers to stop them, sources said.
They had been parked illegally on a median on Atlantic Avenue near Classon Street just before the incident, and drawn the officers’ attention.
After being pulled over, cops smelled marijuana and eventually spotted a burning joint inside the truck. They then asked Telfair and Thomas to step out of the vehicle and placed them under arrest.
Upon searching the truck, sources said officers discovered two bags of pot and the pair’s gun collection — which included a SIG MPX Pistol, a Ruger LC9s, and a Springfield Armory MOD XD9 and 2 pistols.
The weapon is described by Personal Defense World magazine as an “AR-style pistol in 9mm.”
Telfair, who was driving, was later charged with unlawful possession of a ballistic vest, unlawful possession of ammunition magazine, possession of a controlled substance, aggravated unlicensed operator of a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle equipment violation.
Thomas was also slapped with controlled substance and gun possession-related charges, as well.
The two men were arraigned in Brooklyn Criminal Court on Sunday night and held on bond.
Their lawyers claimed that Telfair was Thomas’ uncle, and that he had legally purchased the weapons in Florida, where he is a resident.
The former basketball star’s attorney, Edward Hayes, described him as a “perfect citizen” with “no participation in criminal activities.”
Telfair faces up to 15 years in prison, if convicted.
Wearing black high-tops, a gray hoodie and gray sweats, he made eye contact with his wife and two children as they sat in the back of the courtroom with the rest of his family.
The Brooklyn native was one of the most sought-after players in the country during his days at Lincoln High School. Choosing to skip out on college, he made a direct jump to the NBA in 2004 and was selected 13th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Telfair eventually fizzled out, though — playing for eight different teams during his 12-year career and recently making the leap to China.
A basketball coach from Brooklyn, who recently spoke with the former star, told The Post he was planning on taking a year off from the sport before eventually heading to Europe to play.
Sunday’s incident isn’t the first time the standout point guard has gotten in trouble with the law.
In 2007, he and a friend were arrested on a gun charge following another routine traffic stop.
Telfair had been speeding on the Bronx River Parkway and driving with a suspended license. Officers later found a .45 caliber handgun under the passenger seat.
Telfair pleaded guilty a year later to criminal possession of a weapon and was sentenced to three years of probation.
Additional reporting by Larry Celona
By Joe Marino and Chris Perez
June 11, 2017 | 8:21pm
Former Big Apple basketball sensation Sebastian Telfair was busted early Sunday in Brooklyn with a bulletproof vest and a small arsenal inside his truck, police sources said.
The 32-year-old had been with another man, identified as Jami Thomas, 18, when cops pulled him over in Bed-Stuy around 2:50 a.m. and uncovered the weapons cache during a routine traffic stop, according to authorities.
All in all, officers found three loaded pistols, a gas-operated submachine gun, extended magazines, ammunition and the ballistic vest.
The pair had been driving in a Ford F-150 pickup truck without the headlights on, prompting officers to stop them, sources said.
They had been parked illegally on a median on Atlantic Avenue near Classon Street just before the incident, and drawn the officers’ attention.
After being pulled over, cops smelled marijuana and eventually spotted a burning joint inside the truck. They then asked Telfair and Thomas to step out of the vehicle and placed them under arrest.
Upon searching the truck, sources said officers discovered two bags of pot and the pair’s gun collection — which included a SIG MPX Pistol, a Ruger LC9s, and a Springfield Armory MOD XD9 and 2 pistols.
The weapon is described by Personal Defense World magazine as an “AR-style pistol in 9mm.”
Telfair, who was driving, was later charged with unlawful possession of a ballistic vest, unlawful possession of ammunition magazine, possession of a controlled substance, aggravated unlicensed operator of a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle equipment violation.
Thomas was also slapped with controlled substance and gun possession-related charges, as well.
The two men were arraigned in Brooklyn Criminal Court on Sunday night and held on bond.
Their lawyers claimed that Telfair was Thomas’ uncle, and that he had legally purchased the weapons in Florida, where he is a resident.
The former basketball star’s attorney, Edward Hayes, described him as a “perfect citizen” with “no participation in criminal activities.”
Telfair faces up to 15 years in prison, if convicted.
Wearing black high-tops, a gray hoodie and gray sweats, he made eye contact with his wife and two children as they sat in the back of the courtroom with the rest of his family.
The Brooklyn native was one of the most sought-after players in the country during his days at Lincoln High School. Choosing to skip out on college, he made a direct jump to the NBA in 2004 and was selected 13th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Telfair eventually fizzled out, though — playing for eight different teams during his 12-year career and recently making the leap to China.
A basketball coach from Brooklyn, who recently spoke with the former star, told The Post he was planning on taking a year off from the sport before eventually heading to Europe to play.
Sunday’s incident isn’t the first time the standout point guard has gotten in trouble with the law.
In 2007, he and a friend were arrested on a gun charge following another routine traffic stop.
Telfair had been speeding on the Bronx River Parkway and driving with a suspended license. Officers later found a .45 caliber handgun under the passenger seat.
Telfair pleaded guilty a year later to criminal possession of a weapon and was sentenced to three years of probation.
Additional reporting by Larry Celona
