Chris Henry pleads guilty

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Receiver pleads guilty to marijuana charge, apologizes

March 22, 2006

COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry pleaded guilty Wednesday to marijuana possession, avoiding jail time after completing a drug rehabilitation program.

Henry, who still faces firearms charges in Florida, paid a $250 fine and court costs, and prosecutors dropped a speeding charge from his Dec. 15 arrest.

In Kenton County District Court, Henry told Judge Ann Ruttle that he has learned from his arrest and the 28-day drug treatment program he went through.

"I see that I am responsible to my team and my coach and to all Bengals fans to be completely drug-free," Henry said. "To all of them, I can only say that I'm sorry."

Henry could have faced up to a year in jail, though prosecutors wouldn't normally seek jail time on the misdemeanor charge for a first-time offender with no prior record.

They had considered a diversion program for Henry, but dropped that after Henry was arrested Jan. 28 in Orlando, Fla., on felony counts of possession of a concealed firearm, improper exhibition of a firearm and aggravated assault with a firearm. That case is pending.

Henry had 31 catches for 422 yards and six touchdowns in 2005, his rookie year out of West Virginia.