New York Jets defensive end Kenrick Ellis entered an Alford plea to a charge of assault and battery and will serve a 45-day jail sentence beginning on June 15, Ellis' attorney told Brian Costello of the New York Post.
The sentence was originally 179 days, but 89 days were suspended. In Virginia, the 90 remaining days are cut in half, leaving Ellis to serve 45 days. He had been facing up to 20 years in jail and/or deportation if convicted of a felony count of malicious charging, but entered a plea to a lesser charge. An Alford plea is not an admission of guilt.
Because of the timing of the jail sentence, Ellis is not expected to miss any OTAs or the team's mini-camp.
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