List of professional sportspeople convicted of crimes

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This list includes sportspeople who have been convicted of serious crimes (such as felonies in the United States). It comprises both professionals and those amateurs who have competed at the highest levels.

Association football

English leagues

More information Name, Team when arrested ...
Name Team when arrested Offence Sentence Notes
Jimmy Gauld Everton F.C. Conspiracy to defraud 4 years See 1964 British betting scandal.[1]
Peter Swan Sheffield Wednesday F.C. 4 months
Tony Kay
David Layne
Joey Barton Newcastle United F.C. Assault, affray 6 months[2] [3][4]
Manchester City F.C. Assault 4 months, 2 years suspended [5]
George Best Retired Drunk driving, assaulting police, failing to answer bail 3 months [2][6][3]
Danny Simpson Leicester City F.C. Assault 300 hours of community service[7]/ Replaced with a 22:00 to 06:00 curfew for 21 days[8]
Steve Brooker Bristol City F.C. Affray 28 days Released after serving 14 days.[9][10]
Scott Brown 120 hours' community service Brooker, Brown, Orr and Partridge were convicted for the same incident where they were involved in an assault on a doorman.[9][10]
Bradley Orr 28 days
David Partridge Affray and bodily harm 2 months Released after one month[9][10]
Marcus Bent Retired Affray and possession of a Class A drug Suspended 12-month prison sentence, a two-month curfew and 200 hours of compulsory unpaid work [11]
Eric Cantona Manchester United F.C. Assault 2 weeks Released after 24 hours. Later overturned in favour of 120 hours community service after appeal.[12]
Kyle Dempsey Bolton Wanderers F.C. Assault 18 Months Kyle Dempsey spared jail after being handed 18 months suspended prison sentence [13]
Gary Charles Retired Drunk driving Prison sentence not specified [2][14]
Breach of bail conditions Prison sentence not specified Illegally removed electronic tag to go on holiday, therefore breaching court conditions[2][14]
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm 9 months suspended, 100 hours community service [15][16]
Assault 12 months [17]
Gary Croft Blackburn Rovers F.C. Driving while disqualified, perverting the course of justice 4 months [18]
Ched Evans Sheffield United F.C. Rape 5 years [19] Released on licence in October 2014; conviction quashed in April 2016 and a retrial ordered.[20] Evans found not guilty at retrial[21]
Mads Timm Manchester United Dangerous driving 12 months Convicted for street racing with a team-mate.[22]
Jack Fountain York City Conspiracy to defraud 15 months See 1964 British betting scandal.
Lee Hughes West Bromwich Albion F.C. Causing death by dangerous driving 6 years [2][6][23]
Gavin Grant Bradford City Murder Life imprisonment Eligible for parole after 25 years.[24]

Cleared of a 2005 murder in 2007.[25] Murder he was convicted of took place in May 2004, before the start of his professional career.[25]

Adam Johnson Sunderland Rape [26]
Marlon King Barnet F.C. Wounding 80 hours community service
Fraudulent use of vehicle licence, theft Fined £280
Credit card fraud Community rehabilitation order
Gillingham F.C. Obtaining property by deception and criminal damage 6 months community rehabilitation order
Handling stolen cars 18 months Reduced to 5 months on appeal[27]
Assault and unprovoked attack Fined £1000
Watford F.C. Assault Fined £300
Wigan Athletic F.C. Sexual assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm 18 months[3][28]
Jamie Lawrence n/a Robbery 4 years Released after 26 months[2][6][29]
Gary Madine Carlisle United F.C. Actual bodily harm & grievous bodily harm 18 months [30]
Guy Madjo Retired Sexual assault 3+12 years [31]
Peter Mendham Retired Wounding with intent 5 years [32]
Jan Mølby Liverpool F.C. Reckless driving 3 months [6]
Luke McCormick Plymouth Argyle F.C. Driving with excess alcohol, causing death by dangerous driving 7 years 4 months Eligible for parole in three-and-a-half years[33]
Bob Newton Hartlepool United Causing death by reckless driving 9 months [34][35]
Jermaine Pennant Birmingham City F.C. Drink driving whilst banned 90 days Released after 30 days, served rest of sentence wearing electronic tag[2][6][3]
Brian Phillips Mansfield Town Conspiracy to defraud 15 months See 1964 British betting scandal.
Tom Pope Crewe Alexandra Affray 200 hours community service and 6 months suspended jail sentence[36]
Micky Quinn Portsmouth F.C. Driving whilst banned 21 days Served 14 days[6][9]
Graham Rix Chelsea F.C. Underage sex, indecent assault 12 months Placed on sex offenders' register for 10 years[37]
Luke Rodgers Shrewsbury Town Affray Fines, cautions, community service Was denied a US work permit and therefore was unable to sign with the New York Red Bulls due to his conviction.[38][39][40][41]
Paul Sugrue Retired Conspiracy to commit fraud[42] Ten years Four other conspirators also convicted[43]
Mark Aizlewood Semi-retired (manager of Carmarthen Town, former player)[44] Six years
Peter Storey Retired Running a brothel £700 fine and 6-month suspended [2][9][45][3][46]
Car theft 2 years
Counterfeiting 3 years
Smuggling pornographic movies 28 days
Disorderly behaviour 28 days
Mickey Thomas Wrexham F.C. Counterfeiting 18 months [2][6][9][3][47]
Stig Tøfting Bolton Wanderers F.C. Assault 4 months [9][22]
Vinnie Jones Queens Park Rangers Assault causing actual bodily harm and criminal damage £300 fine plus 100 hours' community service [48][49][50][51][52]
Retired Air rage 80 hours community service, fined £500
Mark Ward Retired Possession of drugs with intent to supply 8 years Released after serving four years[3][53]
Dennis Wise Chelsea F.C. Assault 3 months Later acquitted on appeal[54]
Nile Ranger Southend United Conspiracy to commit fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering 8 months [55]
James Tomkins West Ham United Assault of a police officer Fined £7605 [56]
Reece Thompson Guiseley A.F.C. Damaging property, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm 40-month plus 10 year restraining order[57][58] Served 9 months[59]
Kurt Zouma West Ham United Animal cruelty 180 hours community service [60]
Close

Scottish leagues

More information Name v, Team when arrested ...
Name v Team when arrested Offense Sentence Notes
Duncan Ferguson Rangers F.C. Assault 3 months Served 44 days[2][9][61]
Craig Thomson Heart of Midlothian F.C. Lewd libidinous and indecent behaviour £4,000 fine and sex offenders' register entry for 5 years [62]
Close

French leagues

More information Name v, Team when arrested ...
Name v Team when arrested Offense Sentence Notes
Jérôme Boateng Lyon Assault 2 months
Close

Bundesliga

More information Name, Team when arrested ...
Name Team when arrested Offence Sentence Notes
Christoph Metzelder Retired Distribution of child pornography 10 months (suspended) [63]
Close

Dutch Football League

More information Name, Team when arrested ...
Name Team when arrested Offense Sentence Notes
Patrick Kluivert AFC Ajax Causing death by dangerous driving 240 hours community service [64]
Gerrit Keizer AFC Ajax Caught smuggling a substantial amount of foreign currency in to the country Six-month prison sentence, plus a fine of 30,000 guilders [65]
David Mendes da Silva Retired Cocaine trafficking and bribery 7 years [66]
Ronnie Stam Retired Cocaine trafficking and money laundering 7 years [66]
Close

Brazilian Football League

More information Name, Team when arrested ...
Name Team when arrested Offense Sentence Notes
Bruno Fernandes de Souza C.R. Flamengo Murder of former girlfriend, hiding body, kidnapping 22 years [67] Released February 2017
Ronaldinho Retired Passport forgery 5 months Released August 2020
Close

Iranian leagues

More information Name, Team when arrested ...
Name Team when arrested Offense Sentence Notes
Sosha Makani Persepolis F.C. Publishing pictures that lead to the spread of corruption and prostitution in society 5 days [68]
Close

International football

More information Name, Team when arrested ...
Name Team when arrested Offense Sentence Notes
Dani Alves Brazil Sexual assault 4 1⁄2 years, €150,000 fine [69][70]
Guus Hiddink Russia Tax fraud 6 months suspended, €45,000 fine [71]
Godwin Okpara Nigeria Rape, torture, and enslavement of his adopted daughter 10 years[72]
Hope Solo United States Driving while intoxicated 30 days[73]
Shep Messing United States Federal Wire Fraud 5 years probation, $2,000 fine, barred from securities industry[74][75]
Close

Australian rules football

More information Name, Offense ...
Name Offense Sentence Notes
Arthur Brennan Bigamy 12 months [76]
Brett Cooper Drug offences 5 years [77]
Ben Cousins Stalking, drug and driving offenses 1 year [78]
David Dench Fraud 4 months [79]
Merv Dihm Assault occasioning actual bodily harm 3 years Didn't serve the full sentence[80]
Daniel Kerr Arson 2 years [81]
Andrew Krakouer Assault 16 months Served his sentence at the Wooroloo Prison Farm[82]
Neville Linney Burglary 2 years [83]
Paul Tilley Intentionally causing serious injury 18 months 12 of the 18 months were suspended[84]
Close

Aquatics

More information Name, Discipline ...
Name Discipline Offense Sentence Notes
Arne Borg Swimming Avoiding conscription Brief imprisonment Won five Olympic medals in the 1920s[85]
Jean Caplin Swimming Thirteen counts of theft Twelve months imprisonment; commuted to two years' probation and one year in a psychiatric hospital[86] Represented Great Britain at the 1948 Summer Olympics
Nick D'Arcy Swimming Assault 14 months and 12 days suspended on condition of good behavior[87]
Antony James Swimming 3 counts of rape, 3 counts of sexual activity with a child, 2 counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity sentenced to prison for 21 years, and placed on the sex offenders' registry for life. [88]
Klete Keller Swimming obstructing an official proceeding before Congress 3 years probation, 6 months home detention Pardoned in 2025[89]
Bruce Kimball Diving vehicular homicide 17 years released after serving less than five years[90]
Scott Miller Swimming Possessing a prescribed restricted substance and possessing an offensive weapon (2008); possessing methamphetamine (2013); leading a crime syndicate (2022) 100 hours of community service (2008);[91] one-year suspended sentence (2013);[92] five years and six months in prison (2021)[93] Won silver and bronze medals for Australia at the 1996 Summer Olympics
Chantelle Newbery Diving 6 counts of theft 3 months[94]
Theft 8 months[95] Released on parole without serving sentence
Doug Northway Swimming Child sexual assault 4 months imprisonment, 4 months house arrest, and lifetime probation[96]
Brian Phelps Diving 42 counts of indecent assault and indecency[97] 9 years[98] served 6 years before being released on licence, placed on the sex offenders register for life.[99]
Richard Rydze Swimming Conspiracy to illegally distribute steroids, human growth hormones, and painkillers including oxycodone 10 years[100]
Manuel Sanguily Swimming Large-scale prescription fraud 30 months[101] Represented Cuba at the 1952 and 1956 Summer Olympics; became a physician after retiring from sport
Close

Baseball

More information Name, Team when arrested ...
Name Team when arrested Jurisdiction Date Conviction offense Sentence Notes
Shawn Abner Retired Pennsylvania (Cumberland County) January 21, 2020 (sentencing) Aggravated animal cruelty 4+12–23 months imprisonment Abner had abandoned his 14-year-old dog to die.[102]
Willie Aikens Kansas City Royals United States (E.D. Mo.) November 18, 1983 (sentencing) Attempted possession of cocaine 3 months imprisonment, $5,000 fine Aikens was arrested, charged and sentenced with teammates Willie Wilson and Jerry Martin. They were the first active MLB players ever to be sentenced for drug violations.[103]
Retired United States (W.D. Mo.) December 13, 1994 (sentencing) Drug possession with intent to distribute, gun possession, attempted bribery 20 years, 8 months imprisonment[104] Released to a halfway house after serving 14-plus years due to a retroactive change in sentencing guidelines.[105]
Eddie Ainsmith Washington Senators Washington, D.C. April 21, 1915 (sentencing) Assault 30 days in a workhouse Teammate Joe Engel was given only a fine for their assault on a motorman.[106] Ainsmith was subsequently resentenced to a year of probation after paying a $50 fine.[107]
Mike Balas Retired United States (D. Mass.) November 10, 1942 (sentencing) Draft evasion 3 years imprisonment Balas failed to report to a conscientious objector camp during World War II.[108]
Vida Blue Free agent United States (E.D. Mo.) December 20, 1983 (sentencing) Possession of cocaine 3 months imprisonment, $5,000 fine, 2 years probation Blue was arrested in the same investigation as teammates Willie Mays Aikens, Willie Wilson and Jerry Martin but faced a steeper charge.[109]
Ed Bouchee Philadelphia Phillies Washington (Spokane County) February 20, 1958 (plea) Indecent exposure involving children[110] 3 years probation, inpatient mental health treatment[111] Bouchee was released from The Institute of Living after about three months. Commissioner Ford Frick lifted his suspension the following month after meeting with Bouchee, his doctors and an independent psychiatrist.[112]
Milton Bradley Cleveland Indians Ohio (Cuyahoga Falls) February 11, 2004 (plea)[113] Obstructing official business[114] 3 days imprisonment, $250 fine, 40 hours community service[113]
Retired California (Los Angeles County) July 2, 2013 (sentencing) Spousal battery, assault with a deadly weapon and making criminal threats 2 years and 230 days imprisonment, plus 400 hours of community service[115] Bradley remained free until May 2015 while he appealed his conviction.[116]
California June 2018 (sentencing) Domestic battery 2 days imprisonment, 36 months probation, 52 weeks of domestic violence counseling[117]
Gates Brown Pre-career Ohio (Crawford County) March 1958 Breaking and entering "an indeterminate term" in prison[118] Brown was arrested at 18 years old in 1958. After being scouted at the Ohio State Reformatory by the Detroit Tigers in the fall of 1959, the club helped him get early parole.[119]
Matt Bush Tampa Bay Rays Florida (Charlotte County) December 18, 2012 (sentencing) Two counts of DUI with property damage, DUI with serious bodily injury, leaving the scene of an accident, of driving with a suspended license and two counts of leaving the scene of an accident with damage to the property 51 months[120] Released October 2015, after serving 3+12 years.[121]
Ken Caminiti Retired Texas (Harris County) March 2001 (sentencing) Cocaine possession 3 years deferred adjudication for felony cocaine possession in March 2001. Re-sentenced in October 2004 to 180 days imprisonment.[122] Caminiti violated his probation by testing positive for cocaine.[122] He was released shortly after sentencing because he was given credit for time served and died from a drug overdose a few days later.
Rick Camp Retired United States (S.D. Ga.) September 15, 2005 (sentencing) Conspiracy to steal money from a mental health agency 3 years imprisonment Camp, then working as a lobbyist, was convicted alongside Georgia state Representative Robin L. Williams and several others.[123]
Jose Canseco Free agent Florida (Miami-Dade County) January 7, 1998 (sentencing) Battery 1 year probation[124] Canseco was sentenced in January 1998 for hitting his wife and signed the next month with the Toronto Blue Jays.
November 5, 2002 (sentencing) Felony aggravated battery, two counts of misdemeanor battery 3 years probation, 250 hours community service, anger management classes Canseco and his twin brother, Ozzie, were involved in a nightclub fight in Miami Beach on Halloween 2001 when Canseco was under contract with the Chicago White Sox.[125]
Retired March 2003 (sentencing) Violation of probation 2 years house arrest, 3 years probation Canseco failed to take court-ordered anger management classes. He had announced his retirement from MLB the year before.[126]
United States (S.D. Cal.) November 4, 2008 (sentencing) Drug smuggling 1 year probation Canseco tried to bring a fertility drug into the United States from Tijuana.[127]
Ozzie Canseco Retired Florida (Miami-Dade County) November 5, 2002 (sentencing) Felony battery, misdemeanor battery 18 months probation, 200 hours community service, anger management classes Canseco and his twin brother Jose were involved in a nightclub fight in Miami Beach on Halloween 2001.[125]
October 17, 2003 (sentencing) Violation of probation 1 year imprisonment, 5 years probation Canseco was arrested on charges of possessing an illegal anabolic steroid, driving with a revoked license and possession of drug paraphernalia.[128]
Leo Cárdenas Retired Ohio (Hamilton County) February 1998 (plea) Assault 90 days imprisonment Cárdenas was accused of beating his wife's coworker with a baseball bat.[129]
Ramón Castro Florida Marlins Pennsylvania (Allegheny County) November 9, 2004 (plea) Indecent assault 1 year probation Castro was charged with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault and unlawful restraint arising from an incident on August 28, 2003.[130]
Orlando Cepeda Retired United States (D.P.R.) December 16, 1976 (sentencing) Drug possession, drug smuggling 5 years imprisonment, $10,000 fine[131] Cepeda served 10 months.[132]
Hal Chase Banned Arizona (Santa Cruz County) December 9, 1930 (plea) Driving while intoxicated 30 days imprisonment Chase was given the option of paying a $75 fine or going to jail.[133]
California (Colusa County) May 6, 1936 (plea) $250 fine, driver's license suspended four months [134]
Pearce Chiles Philadelphia Phillies Texas June 1900 (sentencing)[135] Theft 2 years imprisonment Chiles served less than 16 months before escaping the Huntsville Prison in Texas on August 19, 1902[136]
Bobby Chouinard Colorado Rockies Arizona (Maricopa County) November 27, 2000 (sentencing) Aggravated assault 1 year imprisonment, $25,000 donation to a domestic violence charity, 10 public service announcements[137] After pleading guilty following an incident in which he held a gun to his wife's head, Chouinard was sentenced to 4 increments of 3-month prison terms during MLB's offseasons. He was allowed 42 hours to work out at Coors Field and visit with his family every week.[138]
Ken Clay Retired Virginia (Campbell County) August 27, 1987 (plea)[139] Grand larceny 4-year suspended prison sentence, 5 years probation, 1,000 hours community service, $15,000 restitution to Jostens. Re-sentenced in 1992 to three years imprisonment. Two more grand larceny charges were dropped as part of his plea. Clay violated his probation by being arrested three separate times: twice for DUI and once for theft.[140]
Virginia (Bedford County) December 30, 1991 (plea)[141] 1 year imprisonment, $1,000 fine Clay stole $551.76 from his employer.[142]
Florida (Manatee County) February 20, 2001 (plea) Twenty-four felony counts including grand theft, fraud and forgery 15 years probation, $40,000 restitution to American Express, First Union Bank and others.[143] Re-sentenced in 2007 to five years imprisonment.[144]
Florida (Sarasota County) November 20, 2007 (conviction) Grand theft 3 years, 4 months, 18 days imprisonment Clay was released in 2012[144]
Ty Cobb Detroit Tigers Michigan (Wayne County) June 25, 1914 Disturbing the peace $50 fine Cobb pulled a revolver during an argument at a butcher shop in Detroit.[145]
Alex Cole Bridgeport Bluefish United States (D. Conn.) June 2002 (plea) Conspiring to possess with intent to distribute heroin[146] 18 months imprisonment[147]
Sam Crane Retired Pennsylvania (Dauphin County) April 14, 1930 (sentenced) Two counts of second-degree murder 28–36 years imprisonment[148] Crane was convicted on September 25, 1929, of the murder of "his former sweetheart"[149] and on March 28, 1930, of the murder of the man accompanying her at the time of the shooting.[150]
Trevor Crowe Retired United States (N.D. Ohio) September 2020 (plea) Tax fraud 3 years probation, $85,043 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service Crowe faced up to three years in federal prison for failing to report more than $300,000 in income from illegal gambling on his federal tax return.[151]
Chad Curtis Retired Michigan (Barry County) October 3, 2013 (sentencing) Criminal sexual conduct 7–15 years imprisonment[152] Released on September 22, 2020.[153]
Éric Cyr San Diego Padres United States (C.D. Cal.) December 26, 2001 (plea) Sexual contact with another without consent 30 days imprisonment, 1 year probation Cyr was charged with having sex with a 15-year-old girl on an airplane from Australia to Los Angeles. He was credited for time served.[154]
John D'Acquisto Retired United States (S.D.N.Y.) October 18, 1996 (sentencing) Conspiracy, uttering a forged instrument, two counts of wire fraud 63 months imprisonment[155]
United States (S.D. Cal.) March 28, 1999 (sentencing) Investment fraud 55 months imprisonment D'Acquisto's second sentence ran concurrently with his first sentence, and he served only 4 years total.[156]
Doug DeCinces Retired United States (C.D. Cal.) August 2019 (sentencing) 14 counts related to insider trading 8 months home detention, 2 years probation[157]
Cozy Dolan Banned United States (N.D. Ill.) April 1, 1931 (plea) Possessing and selling intoxicating liquor 15 days imprisonment[158]
Mike Donlin Baltimore Orioles Maryland (Baltimore) March 19, 1902 (plea) Two counts of assault 6 months imprisonment, $250 fine Donlin claimed to have no memory of assaulting two people while drunk on the street in Baltimore. He was released by the Orioles because of his arrest.[159] Albert Ritchie sentenced him to two concurrent terms of six months.[160]
Lenny Dykstra Retired California (Los Angeles County) October 2011 (plea) Grand theft auto 3 years imprisonment Prosecutors dropped 21 other charges against Dykstra as part of his plea deal.[161]
April 18, 2012 (plea) Assault with a deadly weapon, lewd conduct 9 months imprisonment, 3 years probation As a condition of his probation, Dykstra was not allowed to post on social media.[162]
United States (C.D. Cal.) December 3, 2012 (sentencing) Bankruptcy fraud, concealment of assets, money laundering 6+12 months imprisonment, 500 hours community service, $200,000 in restitution[163] Released in June 2013 after serving a total of 13 months (7 while awaiting sentencing, 6+12 afterwards). Placed on probation for three years and also ordered to complete substance abuse rehab.[164]
Ferris Fain Retired California (El Dorado County) September 24, 1985 (arrest)[165] Cultivating marijuana 4 months house arrest, 5 years probation[166] Authorities believed a jail sentence would have aggravated his arthritis and leukemia.[167]
California March 17, 1988 (arrest)[168] Cultivating and possessing marijuana for sale 18 months imprisonment Fain served his sentence at California State Prison, Solano.[169]
Wander Franco Tampa Bay Rays Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata) June 26, 2025 (sentencing) Sexual abuse of a minor 2 year suspended sentence [170]
Rafael Furcal Atlanta Braves Georgia (Cobb County) June 10, 2000 (arrest)[171] Driving while intoxicated Probation (later 21 days imprisonment) Furcal had 49 days remaining on his Cobb County probation when arrested for drunk driving in violation of his probation.[171] His pleaded guilty to the second charge two days into his prison stint and the two sentences ran concurrently.[172]
Georgia (Atlanta) October 14, 2004 (plea) 19 days imprisonment, 10 months probation, 240 hours community service[172]
Bernard Gilkey New York Mets Florida (St. Lucie County) March 1998 (arrest) 1 year probation, 50 hours community service, driver's license suspended six months[173] Gilkey was arrested for DWI on November 8, 2000, while charges against him for another DWI from less than a month earlier were still pending.[174]
Boston Red Sox Missouri (St. Louis County) February 27, 2001 (plea)[173] 2 years probation
Atlanta Braves November 9, 2001 (plea) Driving while intoxicated, driving with a suspended license, speeding 120 days imprisonment, 5 years probation, 500 hours community service, driver's license suspended five years
Dwight Gooden New York Mets Florida (Hillsborough County) January 23, 1987 (plea) Battery on a police officer, resisting arrest with violence 3 years probation, 160 hours community service Gooden was charged alongside his nephew, Gary Sheffield, and Vance Lovelace.[175]
Retired November 3, 2005 (sentencing) Fleeing police, reckless driving, obstruction, battery 45 days imprisonment, 3 years probation, 100 hours community service, anger management, substance abuse treatment. Re-sentenced in 2006 to a year and a day in prison for violating probation. Gooden pled guilty to an April 2004 charge that he sped away from a traffic stop and an unrelated March 2005 charge of hitting his girlfriend. He was given 45 days in prison for the latter charge but credited for time served.[176] On April 5, 2006, he was re-sentenced to a year and a day in prison for violating his probation by using cocaine.[177]
New Jersey (Monmouth County) August 2019 (plea) Cocaine possession 1 year probation Gooden was able to avoid prison time by completing a substance abuse treatment program between his plea and sentencing.[178]
Mark Grace Retired Arizona (Maricopa County) January 31, 2013 (sentencing) Endangerment, DUI 4 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years supervised probation Grace had been arrested for DUI twice in 15 months and could have faced up to three years in prison if he had not pleaded guilty.[179]
Luther Hackman Retired United States (W.D. Tenn.) March 9, 2023 (plea) Money laundering, conspiring to distribute cocaine 15 years imprisonment Hackman was arrested when he arrived to pick up a shipment of 20 pounds of methamphetamine and 4 kilograms of cocaine for which he had paid $96,800. Scheduled to be released on February 5, 2037.[180]
Mel Hall Retired Texas (Tarrant County) June 17, 2009 (sentencing) 3 counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and 2 counts of indecency with a child 45 years imprisonment[181] Serving his sentence at Coffield prison in Texas. Eligible for parole in 2031.[182]
Pinky Higgins Retired Louisiana 1968 (arrest) Negligent homicide 4 years labor[clarification needed] Released after serving 2 months. Died from a heart attack the day after being released.[183]
Erik Hiljus Retired United States (C.D. Cal.) November 14, 2022 (plea) Two counts of subscribing to false tax returns[184] 3 months home detention, $194,701 in fines and restitution[185] Hiljus served as an agent of an illegal gambling operation. The investigation also resulted in charges against Yasiel Puig.[184]
Charlie Hoover Retired Missouri October 1898 (arrest)[186] Forgery 5 years imprisonment Released in May 1902.[187]
Steve Howe Banned United States (D. Mont.) August 18, 1992 (sentencing) Attempted possession of cocaine 3 years probation, $1,000 fine and 100 hours community service While a pitcher for the New York Yankees, Howe was banned from baseball in June 1991 for failing his seventh drug test. Howe was arrested in December for buying two grams of cocaine in a federal drug investigation and pleaded to a lesser charge in April 1992.[188]
New York Yankees New York (New York City) November 7, 1996 (sentencing) Attempting to bring a loaded, unlicensed handgun on an airplane 3 years probation and 150 hours community service Howe had previously been reinstated by MLB and was arrested while under contract with the Yankees but his sentence was not handed down until the fall following what would be his final season in 1996.[189]
LaMarr Hoyt San Diego Padres United States (S.D. Cal.) December 16, 1986 (sentencing) Drug smuggling 45 days imprisonment, 5 years probation, $5,025 fine Hoyt tried to cross the border from Mexico with 500 pills. It was his second arrest for bringing in drugs from Mexico. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor.[190]
Retired January 16, 1988 (sentencing)[191] Violation of probation, possession of cocaine and marijuana with intent to distribute 1 year imprisonment, 7 months imprisonment to be served concurrently Hoyt tested positive for cocaine while on probation. Separately, drugs were also discovered in his home.[190]
Pat Jarvis Retired United States (N.D. Ga.) March 29, 1999 (sentencing) Mail fraud 15 months imprisonment, $40,000 fine[192]
Cleon Jones Retired Alabama (Mobile County) September 25, 1986 (sentencing) Two counts of first degree assault 10-year suspended sentence, 5 years probation, restitution [193]
Ricardo Jordan Retired Florida (Palm Beach County) March 8, 2007 (sentencing) Trafficking in cocaine, sale and distribution of marijuana 7 years imprisonment [194]
Jung-Ho Kang Pittsburgh Pirates South Korea (Seoul) March 2, 2017 (sentencing) DUI, leaving the scene of an accident 8 months imprisonment, sentence suspended for two years Kang had two prior DUIs.[195]
Shoki Kasahara Yomiuri Giants Japan (Tokyo) October 25, 2016 (sentencing) Gambling-related charges 14 months imprisonment, sentence suspended for four years Kasahara personally placed ¥4.5 million in bets on baseball games and helped to run a gambling ring.[196]
Matt Keough Retired California (Orange County) April 5, 2005 (arrest)[197] Driving under the influence 180 days imprisonment, 3 years probation. Re-sentenced in 2008 to an additional 180 days imprisonment.[198] Keough was charged with multiple felonies after leaving the scene of an accident with a blood-alcohol content more than twice the legal limit.[197] Keough violated probation in 2008 by drinking alcohol.[198]
July 12, 2010 (plea) 1 year imprisonment, 5 years probation Keough initially showed up to court too drunk for the court to accept his plea and the matter had to be adjourned.[198]
Jerry Koosman Retired United States (W.D. Wis.) September 3, 2009 (sentencing)[199] Tax evasion 6 months imprisonment Released on June 30, 2010.[200]
Tacks Latimer Retired Ohio January 1925 (sentencing) Second-degree murder Life imprisonment[201] Pardoned on December 24, 1930[202]
Ron LeFlore Pre-career Michigan 1970 Armed robbery 5–15 years imprisonment[203] LeFlore started playing baseball in prison and was scouted by Detroit Tigers manager Billy Martin at Jackson State Prison.
Esteban Loaiza Retired United States (S.D. Cal.) August 10, 2018 (plea) Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute 3 years imprisonment, 5 years probation[204] Loaiza had been facing 10 years to life in prison before he was sentenced[205]
Josh Lueke Bakersfield Blaze California (Kern County) October 1, 2019 (plea) False imprisonment with violence 62 days imprisonment, followed by three years of felony probation[206] Lueke was charged with rape and non-consensual sodomy but pleaded no contest to a lesser charge.
Julio Machado Milwaukee Brewers Venezuela (Barquisimeto) March 21, 1994 (sentencing) Murder 12 years imprisonment[207] Released after serving four years[208]
Austin Maddox Retired Florida (Duval County) September 11, 2025 (sentencing)[209] Traveling to meet a minor to do unlawful acts and unlawful use of a two-way communications device 3 years imprisonment Maddox received credit for 501 days he already served in jail from the time of his arrest on April 28, 2024, meaning his current release date is March 31, 2027. He was also sentenced to 5 years of sex offender probation upon his release.
Jim Mahady Retired New York (Cortland County) January 29, 1930 (conviction)[210] Second degree manslaughter 6–12 years imprisonment Sentence commuted after three years by the Governor of New York, Herbert H. Lehman.[211]
Jerry Martin Free agent United States (E.D. Mo.) November 18, 1983 (sentencing) Attempted possession of cocaine 3 months imprisonment, $2,500 fine Martin was arrested, charged and sentenced with teammates Willie Mays Aikens and Willie Wilson. Martin's fine was half those of his teammates because he was near "financial catastrophe."[103]
Denny McLain Retired United States (M.D. Fla.) April 26, 1985 (sentencing)[212] Drug trafficking, extortion, racketeering and conspiracy 12 years imprisonment Prior sentence overturned after he served two years, released after plea bargain.[213]
United States (E.D. Mich.) December 14, 1996 (conviction)[214] Conspiracy, theft, money laundering and mail fraud 8 years imprisonment Released after serving six years[213]
Byron McLaughlin Retired United States (S.D. Cal.) December 1990 (plea) Shoe counterfeiting 5 years probation McLaughlin was also ordered to pay USD 389,995.08 to be forfeited to Reebok.[215]
Sergio Mitre Saraperos de Saltillo Mexico (Saltillo) January 2022 (sentencing) Femicide involving the murder of an infant child 50 years imprisonment, MX$379,500 fine Mitre was convicted in Mexico for the murder of his then-girlfriend's 22-month old daughter.[216]
Dustan Mohr Retired Indiana (Allen County) April 26, 2024 (sentencing) Child solicitation, child seduction and sexual misconduct with a minor 9 years imprisonment [217]
Raúl Mondesí Retired Dominican Republic (San Cristóbal) September 2017 (sentencing) Embezzlement 8 years imprisonment, $1.3 million fine Mondesí was found guilty of embezzling $6.3 million as the mayor of San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic.[218]
Ray Morgan Retired Maryland (Baltimore) February 1924 (conviction) Assaulting a policeman 1 year imprisonment One of his co-defendants was found not guilty and the other was only fined $300.[219]
Troy Neel Retired United States (W.D. Tex.) May 7, 2009 (plea)[220] Failure to pay legal child support obligation 5 years probation, $700,000 restitution in unpaid child support Neel's child support arrears were the greatest amount in Texas history. He had been living in a resort he owned in Vanuatu in order to avoid his support obligation.[221]
Blue Moon Odom Retired California (Orange County) September 5, 1986 (sentencing) Selling cocaine 90 days imprisonment, $200 fine, 5 years probation Odom sold two grams of cocaine to a coworker at a Xerox factory for $100.[222]
Hiroshi Ogawa Retired Japan (Saitama) September 29, 2005 (sentencing) Murder, theft Life imprisonment[223]
Monte Pearson Retired California (Madera County) November 1962 (conviction) Bribery 8 months imprisonment Pearson accepted a bribe of $200 while serving as the chief sanitarian of Madera County.[224]
Joe Pepitone Retired New York (New York City) September 17, 1986 (convicted) Possession of Quaaludes, possession of drug paraphernalia 6 months imprisonment Pepitone was sentenced to two concurrent sentences of six months.[225]
Luis Polonia New York Yankees Wisconsin (Milwaukee County) August 21, 1989 (plea) Sexual intercourse with a child 60 days imprisonment, $1,500 fine, $10,000 to the Sexual Assault Treatment Center at Sinai Samaritan Hospital[226]
Jerry Priddy Retired United States (C.D. Cal.) December 11, 1973 (conviction)[227] Extortion 9 months imprisonment Released after serving 4+12 months.[187]
Brandon Puffer Texas Rangers Texas (Collin County)[228] 2009 (conviction) Burglary of a habitation with intent to commit a felony 5 years imprisonment [229]
Pedro Ramos Retired Florida August 18, 1980 (arrest) Aggravated assault 18 months probation Ramos threatened a bar owner with a revolver.[230]
August 24, 1981 (arrest) Speeding, drunk driving, carrying a concealed weapon, probation violation 3 years imprisonment Ramos was released after serving about half of his sentence for his probation violation.[230]
Jim Rivera Pre-career U.S. Army May 15, 1944 (plea) Rape, attempted rape, assault Life imprisonment, dishonorable discharge from the U.S. Army[231] Rivera was paroled after five years. His arrival in the major leagues was controversial but Commissioner Ford Frick said that his conduct since his release had been "beyond question" but noted that, if that were to change, the league would "take action."[232]
Pete Rose Banned United States (S.D. Ohio) April 20, 1990 (plea) Tax fraud 5 months imprisonment followed by one year supervised release, 20 hours community service, $50,000 fine, mental health services, $366,042.86 restitution of unpaid taxes and interest Rose failed to disclose $345,967.60 in income (equivalent to $980,444 in 2025) from card shows, personal appearances and memorabilia sales on his 1985 and 1987 federal tax returns. He was ordered to undergo treatment for a gambling addiction.[233]
Ralph Schwamb St. Louis Browns California 1949 (sentencing) Murder Life imprisonment Schwamb was sentenced in 1949, but granted parole from San Quentin State Prison in 1960.[234]
Dan Serafini Retired California (Placer County) July 14, 2025 (conviction) First-degree murder, attempted murder and burglary Life imprisonment Serafini faced a minimum sentence of 25 years to life in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.[235]
Jimmy Sheckard Retired Pennsylvania (Lancaster County) September 17, 1942 (conviction)[236] Selling lottery tickets 30 days imprisonment, $10 fine[237]
Gary Sheffield Florida Marlins Florida (Orange County)[238] May 24, 1994 (plea) Reckless driving 9 months probation, 40 hours community service Sheffield, who was driving a Ferrari Testarossa 110 miles per hour (180 km/h), was also charged with DUI but that charge was dismissed.[239]
Chuck Smith Retired United States (N.D. Ohio) May 19, 2022 (plea) Access device fraud, aggravated identity theft 33 months imprisonment Smith bought credit card numbers from the dark web and used them to buy at least $10,621.23 in gasoline over a year.[240]
Sammy Stewart Retired North Carolina (Buncombe County) October 2006[241] Drug possession 80–105 months imprisonment Released after serving 80 months.[187]
Darryl Strawberry San Francisco Giants United States (S.D.N.Y.) February 9, 1995 (plea) Tax evasion 6 months home confinement, 3 years probation, 100 hours community service, drug abuse counselling[242] Strawberry admitted to failing to report $75,000–$120,000 in income between 1986 and 1990.[243] As part of his plea, Strawberry agreed to three months in prison but Judge Barrington Daniels Parker Jr. opted for a lighter sentence.[242]
Retired Florida (Hillsborough County) April 29, 2002 (sentencing) Drug possession, solicitation of prostitution 18 months imprisonment Sentence was suspended in 1999, reinstated after 2002 parole violation[244]
Hank Thompson Retired New York November 9, 1961 (sentencing) Third degree robbery 3 years suspended sentence[245]
Texas 1965 (conviction) Armed robbery 10 years imprisonment Served three years[246]
Rusty Torres Retired New York (Nassau County) July 31, 2014 (conviction)[247] 5 counts of first-degree sexual abuse 3 years imprisonment[248]
Ugueth Urbina Philadelphia Phillies Venezuela (Caracas) March 28, 2007 (sentencing) Attempted murder 14 years imprisonment[249] Served 5+12 years; released December 22, 2012.[250]
Julio Urías Los Angeles Dodgers California (Los Angeles) May 1, 2024 (conviction)[251] Domestic battery 36 months probation, 30 days community labor, and a 52-week domestic violence counseling course[251]  
Felipe Vázquez Pittsburgh Pirates Pennsylvania (Westmoreland County) May 20, 2021 (conviction) 10 counts of sexual abuse of children, two counts of unlawful contact with a minor, one count each of statutory sexual assault, corruption of a minor and indecent assault of a person under 16 years old 2–4 years imprisonment, 2 years probation Vazquez was deported back to his home country of Venezuela after he was released in 2023.[252]
Justin Wayne Retired United States (S.D. Fla.) August 31, 2018 (plea)[253] Conspiracy to commit health care fraud 46 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, $20,000 fine Smart Lab LLC, a corporation co-founded by Wayne and his brother, Hawkeye, a former minor league baseball player, also entered a guilty plea.[254]
Kevin Wickander Retired Arizona (Maricopa County) September 19, 2002 (sentencing) Theft 4 years imprisonment While on probation, Wickander pleaded guilty to theft of a computer and other equipment from an office in Phoenix.[255]
Bill Wilson Retired United States (N.D. Ill.) June 31, 1909 (plea) Forgery, fleeing from justice 2 years imprisonment[256] Wilson robbed a post office in Chicago in December 1907 and was not arrested until May 25, 1908, but escaped from custody while being transported to jail. That August, he robbed a post office in Kansas City.[257] He was arrested in Seattle in May 1909 and sentenced by Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis.[256]
Willie Wilson Kansas City Royals United States (E.D. Mo.) November 18, 1983 (sentencing) Attempted possession of cocaine 3 months imprisonment, $5,000 fine Wilson was arrested, charged and sentenced with teammates Willie Mays Aikens and Jerry Martin.[103]
Close

Basketball

More information Name, Team when arrested ...
Name Team when arrested Offense Sentence Notes
Darrell Allums Retired Robbery (8 convictions) 9 years[258] 6 other charges of robbery were dropped[259]
Greg "Cadillac" Anderson Retired Drug trafficking 5 months[260]
Marvin Barnes Spirits of St. Louis Attacking a teammate with a tire iron Probation[261]
Spirits of St. Louis Gun possession (violation of probation) 1 year Served 5 months
Retired Burglary 4 months[262]
Billy Ray Bates Retired Robbery, assault 7 years[263]
Lonny Baxter Mens Sana Basket Gun possession 2 months[264]
William Bedford Retired Transportation of drugs 10 years[265]
Mookie Blaylock Retired Vehicular homicide 15 years, with an agreement to serve 3[266]
Corie Blount Retired Felony marijuana possession 1 year[267]
Dick Boushka Retired Two counts of bank fraud, one count of making false statements to obtain a bank loan, and one count of omitting information for the sale of a security 70 months[268] Represented the United States at the 1956 Summer Olympics
Luther "Ticky" Burden Released/retired (New York Knicks) Receiving stolen property 2 years Originally sentenced to 6 to 18 years for bank robbery,[269] his conviction was voided.[270]
Keon Clark Retired Driving under the influence, felony weapon possession 8 years[271] Projected parole date of July 18, 2017, approximately 3+12 years into sentence.
Javaris Crittenton Retired Voluntary manslaughter with a weapon and aggravated assault with a firearm 23 years, 17 years probation[272] Released from prison after 10 years in 2023 due to a deal with the district attorney.[273]
Rudy DistritoRetiredManslaughter4–12 years[274]Served from 2007–2010.[275]
Nate Driggers Retired Felon in possession of stolen guns 8 years Driggers bought and sold 30 stolen guns in Chicago. He had previous convictions for selling counterfeit goods and drug charges.[276]
Richard Dumas Released/retired Burglary 3 years probation.[277]
Tate George Retired Wire fraud (Ponzi scheme) 9 years[278] Will also have to serve 3 years supervised release and pay $2.55 million in restitution.
Brittney Griner Atlanta Dream Smuggling less than a gram of medical cannabis into Russia 9 years[279] Was released in 2022 as part of a prisoner exchange.[280]
Anthony Grundy Retired Driving while intoxicated, 5 counts of failing to appear in court, 2 probation violations 2 years Grundy had 3 prior DWI convictions. He was arrested a fourth time for DWI in 2011 and, instead of facing the charges, left the country to play abroad until he was arrested again in 2017.[281]
Henry James Retired Dealing cocaine 5 years[282][283]
"Fast" Eddie Johnson Retired Burglary, robbery, drug possession, sexual assault on a minor Various, given life sentence in 2008[284] Died in prison in 2020.[285][286][287]
Art Long Retired Narcotics distribution, illegal firearms possession 6 years and 9 months[288]
Ben McLemore Yukatel Merkezefendi (Turkey) Rape 100 Months (8 1/3 years)[289]
Oliver Miller Retired First degree assault, gun possession 5 years, 4 of which were suspended[290]
Jason Miskiri Retired Narcotics distribution 2 years[291]
Jack Molinas Fort Wayne Pistons Bribing players to fix games 10 to 15 years Served 5 years.[292]
José Ortiz Retired Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute 15 months[293]
Tom Payne Atlanta Hawks Rape (multiple convictions), sodomy[294] Various, most recently sentenced to 15 years to life in 2000 Page at Kentucky DOC
Paroled in January 2019.[295]
Ruben Patterson Seattle SuperSonics Third degree rape 1 year Served 15 days[296]
Isaiah Rider Retired (Minnesota Timberwolves) Possession of cocaine, battery, evading a police officer 7 months[297]
Charles E. Smith Boston Celtics Vehicular homicide 4+12 years[298] served 28 months[299]
Kirk Snyder Retired Aggravated burglary 3 years[300]
Jay Vincent Retired Mail fraud, tax fraud 5+12 years[301]
Sly Williams Retired Kidnapping[302] 5 years Released after serving 3+12 years.
Terrence Williams Retired Conspiracy to defraud the NBA's health plan[303] 10 years
Qyntel Woods Portland Trail Blazers Animal abuse Probation Woods pleaded guilty and agreed to donate $10,000 to the Oregon Humane Society. He was sentenced to 12 months of probation and 80 hours of community service.[304]
Close

Boating sports

More information Name, Sport ...
Name Sport Offense Sentence Notes
Nathan Baggaley Canoeing Manufacturing and dealing MDMA (2007);[305] theft (2007);[306] possession of steroids (2010);[307] drug manufacturing and conspiracy (2015);[308] attempted importation of cocaine (2021)[309] Nine years in prison (2007); two years and three months in prison (2015); twenty-five years in prison (2021) Represented Australia at the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics[309]
Róbert Éder Rowing high treason (1921) and deception (1931) 6 months in prison (1921); 8 months in prison (1931)[310] Represented Hungary at the 1908 Summer Olympics
Philippe Jeantot Sailing Tax evasion 2 years suspended and €15,000 fine Currently under investigation for another fraud case[311]
Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Sailing Crimes against humanity 12 years imprisonment plus forfeiture of all property; reduced to time served and property forfeiture waived[312] Represented Nazi Germany at the 1936 Summer Olympics[313]
Hamish McLachlan Rowing stock market fraud 9 years in prison[314] Represented Australia at the 1988 Summer Olympics
Manuel Puig Rowing participating in the Bay of Pigs Invasion execution[315]
Ramón Puig Rowing participating in the Bay of Pigs Invasion 30 years of hard labor[316]
Murray Riley Rowing Drug trafficking, fraud 5 to 10 years, served 6; 5 years, escaped[317]
Etienne Stott Canoeing breach of Public Order Act Conditional discharge with costs amounting to £300 [318]
Close

Bodybuilding

More information Name, Offense ...
Name Offense Sentence Notes
Bertil Fox Murder Life[319][320] Originally sentenced to death
Sally McNeil Second-degree murder 19 years to life[320][321]
Craig Titus Second-degree murder 21 to 55 years[322] Eligible for parole on December 23, 2026
Close

Boxing

More information Name, Offense ...
Name Offense Sentence Notes
Muhammad Ali Draft evasion in the Vietnam War 5 years in prison; conviction overturned[323]
Mike Alvarado Domestic violence, traffic and driving offenses[324] 3 years
Tony Ayala Jr. Burglary and rape 35 years Paroled after 16 years, returned to prison for an additional 10-year sentence for parole violation.[325] Served full ten years, released in 2014, died in 2015.[326]
Trevor Berbick Sexual assault 5 years[327] Served 15 months, subsequently murdered by kin in Jamaica.
Patrick Bogere Attempted robbery, unlawful disposal, threatening police, driving without a license, kidnapping and torture 4 years (2006);[328] 5 years (2019)[329] Represented Sweden at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Riddick Bowe Kidnapping 18 months[330] Released after serving 17 months for kidnapping his wife and children
James Butler Voluntary manslaughter, arson 29 years and 4 months[331] Currently incarcerated
Rubin "Hurricane" Carter Murder Life[332] Conviction set aside, and he was released after serving 19 years
Derek Chisora Assault 12 weeks suspended for 2 years and 150 hours community service Had previous convictions for public order offences, assaulting a police officer and possession of an offensive weapon.[333]
Christophe Dettinger Two counts of assaulting an officer 1 year and 18 months' probation [334]
Daniel Dumitrescu Theft of wallets[335] Imprisonment Represented Romania at the 1988 Summer Olympics
Del Fontaine Convicted in 1935 of the murder of his girlfriend Death by hanging Executed October 29, 1935, at Wandsworth Prison, London.
Adam Forsyth Importing $84 million worth of methamphetamine into New Zealand from Australia 12 years and 5 months in prison[336] Represented Australia at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Clarence Hill Various drug offenses[337][338] Imprisonment Is the first Bermudan to win an Olympic medal.
Alex de Jesús Domestic violence 4 years[339] Represented Puerto Rico at the 2003 Pan American Games, the 2002 Central American and Caribbean Games, and the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Esteban De Jesús Murder Life[340] Pardoned after 7 years due to failing health, died 1 month later
Clifford Etienne Attempted murder, armed robbery, grand theft auto, and two counts of child kidnapping 150 years without possibility of parole[341] Sentence reduced to 105 years in procedural hearing.[342]
Scott Harrison drunk-driving and assault (2008) 8 months[343] Released after serving 4 months.[344]
assault (2011) 30 months[345] Released after serving 5 months[346]
3 counts of assault (2013) 4 years[347] Extradited to the UK in 2015. Released after serving 3 years[348]
Naseem Hamed Dangerous driving 15 months[349] Served 16 weeks
Bernard Hopkins Strong-arm robbery 18 years[350] served 56 months (before boxing career)[351]
James Kirkland Armed robbery 57 months Served 30 months, after 2003 arrest.[352] Convicted in 2009 of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, sentenced to 24 months, released in September 2010 after serving 19 months.[353]
Panama Lewis Assault, criminal possession of a weapon, conspiracy, tampering with a sports contest 6 years Served 4 years[citation needed]
Sonny Liston Robbery 5 years Served 2 years[354]
Béla Lőwig Unknown charge 3 years in prison[355] Represented Hungary at the 1924 Summer Olympics and also worked as a bodyguard for the Hungarian fascist leader Ferenc Szálasi.
Michael Nunn Conspiracy to distribute cocaine Sentenced 292 months in federal prison Incarcerated at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary in Kansas, scheduled release date June 16, 2024[356]
Dwight Muhammad Qawi (formerly Dwight Braxton) Armed robbery Served more than 2 years[357]
Floyd Mayweather Sr. Drug trafficking 5 years [358]
Floyd Mayweather Jr. Domestic violence 90 days [359]
Tommy Morrison Possession of drugs and weapons 10 years Served 14 months[47]
Vincenzo Nardiello Extortion and making violent threats 3 years and 4 months; 2 years and 6 months[360]
Rudel Obreja Money laundering, tax evasion, bribery 5 years Was released in 2022 to undergo cancer treatment[361]
Ľudovít Plachetka Murder and rape 9 years for murder, 8 years for rape[362]
Ellyas Pical Drug smuggling 7 months
Luis Resto Assault
criminal possession of a weapon (his hands)
conspiracy
3 years[363] Served 2 years, 6 months
Brian Schumacher Murder 23 years[360]
Harry Simon Culpable homicide Sentenced to 2 years in prison on August 5, 2005. Lost appeal and began serving sentence on July 9, 2007.[364] release in 2009 after serving sentence.
Felix Sturm Tax evasion and drug use 2 years[365]
Moon Sung-kil Molestation 6 months[360]
Đỗ Tiến Tuấn Theft, murder Life in prison[366] Represented Vietnam at the 1988 Summer Olympics
Tin Tun Possessing a banned publication 20 years[367]
Regilio Tuur Domestic abuse, assaulting a police officer 20 months[368]
Mike Tyson Rape 6 years[369] Served 3 years
Assault 1 year[370] Served 3 months
Possession of narcotics and DUI 24 hours in jail, 360 hours community service and 3 years probation[371]
Félix Verdejo Kidnapping, murder of his girlfriend and unborn child Life[372] Represented Puerto Rico at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Peter Wakefield Drug trafficking 4.5 years[360]
René Weller Cocaine dealing, dealing stolen goods, and forgery 7 years; released after 4[373] Represented West Germany at the 1976 Summer Olympics
Ricardo Williams Conspiracy to distribute cocaine 3 years[374][375]
Daniele Zappaterra Drug possession and trafficking 4 years[360]
Carlos Monzón Murder 11 years[376] In 1995, he died in a car accident while he was on furlough.[377]
Close

Climbing

More information Name, Offense ...
Name Offense Sentence Notes
Charles Barrett Aggravated sexual abuse and aggravated sexual contact Life in prison.[378]
Alexander Fritz Child rape 5 years in prison.[379]
Lonnie Kauk Domestic violence 180 days (6 months) in jail and 48 months supervised probation.[380] Son of Ron Kauk.
Close

Cricket

More information Name, Offense ...
Name Offense Sentence Notes
Geoffrey Boycott Assault 3 months suspended sentence, 50,000 franc (£5,100) fine.[381][382]
Arthur Coningham Fraud 6 months[383]
Leslie Hylton Murder Death by hanging Executed by hanging[384]
Terry Jenner Embezzlement 6+12 years Released after 18 months[385]
Vallance Jupp Manslaughter 9 months Served only half his sentence[386]
Wayne Larkins Fraud 12 months suspended sentence Also ordered to repay £54,000 for his involvement in a property scam[387]
Warrington Phillip Murder Life[388] Has been found guilty[389]
Dion Taljard Rape 18 years[390]
Lorrie Wilmot Rape 12 years, three of them suspended Committed suicide before he was due to be imprisoned[391]
Chris Lewis Drug smuggling 13 years[392]
Mohammad Amir conspiracy to cheat at gambling
conspiracy to accept corrupt payments[393][394]
6 months in Young Offenders Institution[395] See Pakistan cricket spot-fixing scandal
Mohammad Asif 12 months[395]
Salman Butt 30 months[395]
Mervyn Westfield conspiracy to accept corrupt payments 4 months [396]
Close

Cycling

More information Name, Discipline ...
Name Discipline Offense Sentence Notes
Gregor Braun Track cycling and road racing child sexual abuse 33 months[397] Won a gold medal for West Germany at the 1976 Summer Olympics
Mario Cipollini Road racing domestic violence and stalking 3 years[398]
Stefan Denifl Road racing fraud 2 years[399] Represented Austria at the 2016 Summer Olympics
Christophe Dupouey Mountain biking trafficking pot belge 3 months[400] Represented France at the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics[401]
Tammy Thomas Road racing perjury and obstruction of justice 6 months' house arrest [402]
Missy Giove Downhill conspiring to possess and distribute more than 100 kg of marijuana 6 months' home detention and 5 years of supervised release [403][404][405]
Jack Bobridge Road
Track
4 charges of drug trafficking 4 years and 6 months released after 2-and-a-half years[406][407]
Jonathan Boyer Road racing lewd behavior with a minor 1 year in prison and 5 years' probation released from probation in 2006[408]
James Brown Para-cycling public nuisance 1 year [409][410]
Close

Darts

More information Name, Offense ...
Name Offense Sentence Notes
Phil Taylor indecent assault £2,000 fine [411]
Chris Mason assault and assault with intent to resist arrest 180 hours' community service [412]
actual bodily harm 3 months suspended for 12 months[412]
actual bodily harm 3 years' probation [412]
aggravated burglary with intent to cause grievous bodily harm 3 years released after 1 year[412]
Ted Hankey sexual assault 2 years placed on sex offender registry for 10 years[413]
Close

Equestrian sports

More information Name, Offense ...
Name Offense Sentence Notes
Constantin Apostol being "against the social order" imprisonment Represented Romania at the 1936 Summer Olympics[414]
Rich Fellers child sexual abuse 4-year federal sentence and 30-month state sentence[415] Represented the United States at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Fethi Gürcan participating in the 1962 Turkish coup attempt execution[416] Served in the Turkish army and represented Turkey at the 1956 Summer Olympics
Chris Munce conspiracy for a tips-for-bets scam 30 months[417] Served 7 months in Hong Kong, then served 13 months in Australia where he was released.[418][419]
Lester Piggott tax evasion 3 years[420] Released after 366 days,[421] Stripped of his OBE.
Close

Fencing

More information Name, Offense ...
Name Offense Sentence Notes
Thomas Gerull Fraud Eight years in prison[422] Won a silver medal for West Germany at the 1988 Summer Olympics
Close

Gridiron football

American football

More information Name, Status with team when arrested ...
Name Status with team when arrested Crime Term Notes
Kevin Allen Free agent Sexual assault 15 years[423] Released after 33 months.
Will Allen Retired Wire fraud and money laundering 6 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution of $16.8 million (along with co-defendant)[424]
Richard Alston Retired Conspiracy to distribute drugs 14 years[425]
Josh Bellamy Cut Conspiracy to commit wire fraud 3 years and 1 month, plus payment of $1,246,565 in restitution and $1,246,565 in forfeiture [426]
Michael Bennett Cut Wire fraud 15 months[427]
Burglary, identity theft and attempted theft 5 years Was on parole from previous conviction when arrested.[428]
Trevone Boykin Seattle Seahawks Aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury and witness tampering 3 years[429]
Josh Brent Dallas Cowboys Intoxication manslaughter 180 days and 10 years' probation[430]
Plaxico Burress New York Giants Attempted criminal possession of a weapon 2 years Conviction was a plea bargain for an incident in which Burress accidentally shot himself in a nightclub.[431] Eligible for parole in April 2011;[432] released June 7, 2011.[433]
Billy Cannon Retired Counterfeiting 5 years[434] Served 2+12 years. Had been elected to the College Football Hall of Fame before his conviction in 1983, but the Hall rescinded the honor before his scheduled induction. The Hall elected him a second time in 2008 and he was inducted at that time.[434]
Rae Carruth Carolina Panthers Conspiracy to commit murder 18 years[435] Released on October 22, 2018, having served 19 years.[436]
Cecil Collins Miami Dolphins Burglary 15 years[437] Released after serving 13 years[438]
Maurice Clarett Free agent Armed robbery, possession of a concealed weapon without a permit, failure to maintain current lane 7+12 years Clarett was released to a halfway house after less than four years.[439]
Russell Erxleben Retired Conspiracy to commit securities fraud, mail fraud and money laundering, then wire fraud and money laundering 7 years then 7+12 years[440]
Michael Floyd Arizona Cardinals Extreme DUI 24 days in jail, 96 days of house arrest, 30 hours of community service and a $5,115.99 fine[441] Floyd was found unconscious in his car in the middle of a road at 2:48 a.m. with a .217 blood alcohol content.[442] He originally faced seven charges but pleaded to one.[441]
Irving Fryar Retired Conspiracy and theft by deception (mortgage scam) 5 years[443]
Dwayne Goodrich Dallas Cowboys Criminally negligent homicide 12+12 years[444] Hit and run accident. Released after serving approximately eight years.[445]
Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson Retired Sexual assault, bribery 4 years, 8 months Released after serving 28 months[446]
Darryl Henley Los Angeles Rams Drug trafficking, attempted conspiracy to commit murder 42 years[447] Expected release date: March 28, 2031[448]
Aaron Hernandez New England Patriots First-degree murder Life without parole[449] Committed suicide in prison on April 19, 2017.
Travis Henry Cut Drug trafficking 3+12 years[450] Served 2 years and 5 months[451]
Jimmy Hitchcock Retired Fraud, bribery and money laundering 46 months[452] to be followed by two years of supervised release[453]
Sam Hurd Chicago Bears Conspiracy to possess cocaine and marijuana with intent to distribute 15 years[454]
Mark Ingram Sr. Retired Money laundering and fraud 7 years in prison and up to 5 years of probation. Ordered to pay $252,000 in restitution. Given an additional 2 years in prison for jumping bail to see his son Mark Ingram II play for the University of Alabama.[455] Released 2015
Tank Johnson Chicago Bears Probation violation relating to weapons possession 120 days Served 60 days[456]
Johnny Jolly Green Bay Packers Drug possession, evidence tampering, violating probation[457] 6 years Served 6 months[458]
Tommy Kane Seattle Seahawks Manslaughter 18 years[459]
Ryan Leaf Retired Burglary, drug possession 5 years[460] Released after serving 2+12 years.[461]
Ray Lewis Baltimore Ravens Obstruction of justice 12 months probation, $250,000 fine Lewis pled down to obstruction in exchange for his testimony after a bar fight he was involved in left two people dead. Lewis was named Super Bowl MVP the year following his arrest. On April 29, 2004, Lewis reached an out-of-court settlement with four-year-old India Lollar, born months after the death of her father Richard, pre-empting a scheduled civil proceeding. Lewis also reached an undisclosed settlement with Baker's family.[462][circular reference]
Jamal Lewis Baltimore Ravens Using a cell phone to facilitate a drug deal 4 months [463]
Leonard Little St. Louis Rams Involuntary manslaughter 3 months[464] involved in fatal car crash while intoxicated.
Derek Loville Retired Racketeering conspiracy 15 months, $5,000 fine Loville was charged for his role in a drug trafficking ring, but pleaded guilty only to racketeering.[465]
Kevin Mack Cleveland Browns Drug use 6 months Mack was charged with cocaine trafficking, using a motor vehicle for drug abuse and possessing criminal tools but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.[466] He served only a month at the Ohio State Reformatory.[467]
Dexter Manley Washington Redskins Drug possession, evidence tampering 4 years (1996) 2 years (2002) Served over three years[468]
Dave Meggett Retired Criminal sexual conduct and burglary 30 years Previously convicted of misdemeanor sexual battery[469]
Bam Morris Kansas City Chiefs Drug trafficking 30 months Released after serving two and a half years[470]
Mercury Morris Retired Drug trafficking 20 years Served 3 years. Released early after a plea agreement in which he pleaded no contest to felony drug trafficking charges.[471]
Eric Naposki Cut First-degree murder Life in prison without the possibility of parole[472]
Nate Newton Retired Drug trafficking 7+12 years (two separate convictions)[473] released after serving about two and a half years[474]
Lawrence Phillips Retired Assault, separate incident of assault with a deadly weapon (intentionally driving into victims) 31 years total Previously sentenced to 10 years on driving charge, which was reduced to seven years during sentencing for assault charge against his girlfriend in 2009[475] In 2016, while awaiting trial regarding the death of his cellmate, Phillips committed suicide in prison after serving 7+ years.[476]
Alabama Pitts Pre-career Armed robbery 8–16 years Pitts was released after six years and played minor league baseball after his release.[234]
Joe Prokop Retired Tax evasion, fraud 1+12 years in prison and 2+12 years of home confinement[477]
Saleem Rasheed Retired Food stamp fraud, immigration fraud 8 months in prison followed by 8 months of home detention followed by 3 years of supervised release, $500 fine, $5,551 restitution Rasheed falsely claimed a woman as his wife on immigration forms and collected food stamps despite being ineligible.[478][479]
Two counts of School Employee Engaging in a Sex Act 3 years Rasheed was charged with two counts of School Employee Engaging in a Sex Act and two counts of School Employee Engaging in a Deviate Sex Act stemming from consensual sex acts with of-age girls while he was a schoolteacher. He pleaded guilty to the two lesser charges.[479][480]
Robert Rozier Retired[481] Multiple murders Multiple Convicted of four murders, served 10 years and placed in witness protection after testifying against Yahweh Ben Yahweh, later sentenced to 25 to life on check kiting charge under a Three-strikes law[482]
Henry Ruggs Las Vegas Raiders[483] DUI resulting in death and vehicular manslaughter 3–10 years [484]
Art Schlichter Retired 1997 – forgery, theft 16 years[485] committed over 20 felonies related to gambling, released from prison in June 2006[486]
2012 – fraud, theft 10 years, 7 months[487] 7 months were related to his probation from an earlier conviction.[488]
Darren Sharper Retired Rape (multiple counts) 20 years[489] Also sentenced in United States Federal Court to 18 years, running concurrently with the 20-year sentence imposed by California, as well as sentences in Arizona, Nevada and Louisiana. While the Federal conviction is shorter, it does not allow for the possibility of parole, giving it a later date of possible release.[490]
O. J. Simpson Retired Robbery, kidnapping 9 to 33 years[491] Released after serving nine years.[492] See also O. J. Simpson robbery case.
Anthony Smith Retired First-degree murder Three life sentences without parole[493]
Alonzo Spellman Cut Interference with a flight crew, simple assault[494] 18 months Served one year
C.J. Spillman Dallas Cowboys Sexual assault 5 years[495]
Donté Stallworth Cleveland Browns DUI manslaughter (Driving under the influence of alcohol) 30 days incarceration, 2 years house arrest[496]
Dana Stubblefield Retired Rape by force and false imprisonment 15 years to life[497]
Michael Vick Atlanta Falcons Conspiracy, related to dog fighting[498] 23 months[499] See also Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting investigation.
Nate Webster Cut Unlawful sexual conduct with a minor 12 years[500]
Stanley Wilson Sr. Retired Burglary 22 years Sentence was under a third strike provision[501]
Kellen Winslow II Retired Rape (multiple counts) 14 years[502]
Brandon Browner Retired Attempted murder 8 years[503]
Keith Wright Cut Multiple charges, including sexual assault, armed robbery, kidnapping and burglary 114 years to life, plus 120 years[504] series of home invasion robberies and assaults
Close

Canadian football

More information Name, Team when arrested ...
Name Team when arrested Offense Sentence Notes
Josh Boden released/retired from BC Lions sexual assault and murder Life imprisonment [505]
Cody Ledbetter released/retired from Hamilton Tiger-Cats probation violation 12 years[506]
Trevis Smith Saskatchewan Roughriders aggravated sexual assault 6 years[507]
Close

Gymnastics

More information Name, Offense ...
Name Offense Sentence Notes
Jean-Luc Cairon Four counts of child sexual abuse 100 years in prison (25 years for each charge)[508] Represented France at the 1984 Summer Olympics
Harry Gill Fifty counts of embezzlement 12 months in prison[509] Represented Great Britain at the 1908 Summer Olympics
Tamara Lazakovich Various crimes, including larceny[510] Several jail sentences[511] Represented the Soviet Union at the 1972 Summer Olympics
José Vilchis Eight counts of criminal sexual assault 96 years[512] Represented Mexico at the 1968 Summer Olympics
Close

Ice hockey

More information Name, Team when arrested ...
Name Team when arrested Offense Sentence Notes
Jiří Bubla retired drug smuggling 5 years[513] Played with the Vancouver Canucks and represented Czechoslovakia at the 1970 and 1980 Winter Olympics
Augustin Bubník Czechoslovakia men's national ice hockey team treason, subversion of the state, espionage 14 years[514] He and the rest of the Czechoslovak national team were arrested on false charges in 1950[515]
Sean Burke Carolina Hurricanes domestic assault 18 months' probation[516]
Alex Galchenyuk Arizona Coyotes Misdemeanor threatening charge 30 days[517]
Mike Danton St. Louis Blues conspiracy to commit murder 7+12 years[518] Released after serving five years[519][520]
Steve Durbano retired drug smuggling 7 years[521]
Přemysl Hajný Czechoslovakia men's national ice hockey team trying to defect imprisonment[522] He and the rest of the Czechoslovak national team were arrested on false charges in 1950[515]
Dany Heatley Atlanta Thrashers vehicular homicide 3 years' probation[523] Also ordered to give 150 speeches on the dangers of speeding, and pay $25,000 to Fulton County for the cost of investigating the crash.
Ignac Kavec retired extortion 4 years[360] Represented Yugoslavia at the 1976 Winter Olympics
Nikolai Khabibulin Edmonton Oilers drunk driving 30 days[524] Serves first 15 days of sentence with work release, last 15 days under house arrest
Vladimír Kobranov Czechoslovakia men's national ice hockey team trying to defect imprisonment[525] He and the rest of the Czechoslovak national team were arrested on false charges in 1950[515]
Stanislav Konopásek Czechoslovakia men's national ice hockey team "slandering the republic" 12 years, later reduced to 5[526] He and the rest of the Czechoslovak national team were arrested on false charges in 1950[515]
Robert Kovařík retired armed robbery 9 years[527] After retiring from ice hockey, he became a gay pornographic film star.
Craig MacTavish Boston Bruins vehicular homicide 1 year[528]
Tom McCarthy retired conspiracy to traffic drugs 5 years and 10 months[529] served approx. 4 years in U.S. and Canada.[530]
Bohumil Modrý Czechoslovakia men's national ice hockey team treason 15 years[531] He and the rest of the Czechoslovak national team were arrested on false charges in 1950[515]
Nathan Paetsch Grand Rapids Griffins transmission of wagering information, and structuring transactions to evade reporting requirements eight months of home confinement plus 400 hours of community service and a fine of $265,000[532]
Bob Probert Detroit Red Wings drug possession 90 days[533] [534]
Václav Roziňák Czechoslovakia men's national ice hockey team unknown charge imprisonment He and the rest of the Czechoslovak national team were arrested on false charges in 1950[515]
Billy Tibbetts Birmingham Bulls assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; parole violation 30 months in prison [535]
Slava Voynov Los Angeles Kings domestic assault 90 days in jail; three years' probation[536] Accepted a plea bargain on a misdemeanor account of corporal injury to a spouse.
Close

Ice skating

More information Name, Offense ...
Name Offense Sentence Notes
Tonya Harding Hindering a police investigation Three years' probation, 500 hours of community service, and a $100,000 fine[537] See Assault of Nancy Kerrigan.
Disorderly conduct 3 days and 10 days of community service[538]
Driving under the influence 10 days, 20 days suspended suspended sentence with the condition of completing 12 hours of classes for troubled young adults[539]
Wayne LeBombard Theft from a bicycle shop 45 days[540] Represented the United States at the 1964 and 1968 Winter Olympics
Yvonne de Ligne Murdering her husband, Charles de Ligne Initially sentenced to death, reduced to 20 years; released after 6 years due to suffering from tuberculosis[541]
Wolfgang Schwarz Human trafficking (2002); planned kidnapping (2006) 1.5 years (2002);[542] 8 years (2006)[543]
Wolfgang Schwarz Human trafficking 18 months[544] punishment was postponed as he was suffering from the side effects of treatment for skin cancer
kidnapping 8 years [545]
Maxim Staviski Driving under the influence, Causing death by dangerous driving 2 years, 6 months[546] Was originally 2 years suspended, 6 months with 5 years' probation, but reversed following appeal.[547]
Close

Martial arts

More information Name, Discipline ...
Name Discipline Offense Sentence Notes
Evangelos Goussis Kickboxing Drug trafficking (1989) [548] See: Melbourne gangland killings[549]
Attempted murder (1989) 18 months[548]
Possession of an unregistered firearm (2004) [548]
Murder (2006) 20 years' imprisonment, 15-year non-parole period[548]
Murder (2008) life imprisonment, 30-year non-parole period[550]
Kazuyoshi Ishii Karate tax evasion 22 months[551] Released after 14 months
Lee Murray Mixed Martial Arts Armed robbery 10 years See: Securitas depot robbery[552]
Naidangiin Tüvshinbayar Judo Murder 16 years[553]
Warren Richards Judo Conspiracy to import prohibited substances 12 years[554]
Thomas Schleicher Judo Drug trafficking 5 years; committed suicide in prison[555] Represented Austria at the 1996 Summer Olympics
Joe Son Mixed Martial Arts Felony vandalism (2008) 90 days Was required to provide a DNA sample as condition of his plea agreement.[556]
Parole violation (2008) 60 days [556]
kidnapping, "sodomy by force in concert", "rape in concert", "forcible oral copulation", and "forcible rape with a sentencing enhancement for committing rape while armed with a firearm" (Jan. 2011) 17 years and four months Of an offense committed in 1990
Torture (Sept. 2011) 7 years to life[556]
Voluntary Manslaughter (2017) 27 years Crime committed whilst imprisoned.[557]
Yevgen Sotnikov Judo Murder 15 years; killed in a penal colony[558] Represented Ukraine at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Sergey Suslin Judo and sambo Murder 9 years[559] Represented the Soviet Union at the 1972 Summer Olympics
Masato Uchishiba Judo Rape 5 years[560]
Jonathan Koppenhaver Mixed Martial Arts Domestic battery, Coercion, Preventing a victim from reporting a crime, First-degree kidnapping, Rape, Attempted rape, Sexual assault, Battery Life sentence[561] Most convictions stem from the attack on his ex-girlfriend, Christy Mack
Alexis Vila Mixed Martial Arts Kidnapping, torture, and murder 15 years[562] Won a bronze medal for Cuba at the 1996 Summer Olympics
James Waithe Judo Conspiracy to supply cocaine, Possession of firearms Indefinite[563] Enforcer for a drug trafficking gang[564]
Close

Motorsport

More information Name, Team when arrested ...
Name Team when arrested Competing series when arrested Offense Sentence Notes
Connor Behan Retired N/A supplying drugs 3 years[565] released after one year
Dangerous driving, drug and offensive weapon possession and drink-driving 20 weeks, 8 weeks, 4 weeks, served concurrently
rape of a minor 18 years [566]
Scott Bloomquist Retired N/A misdemeanor drug possession and possessing drug paraphernalia $5,000 fine and a year reduced to 6 months after appeal[567]
Gary Brabham Retired N/A Rape of a child 18 months for one offence, 2 years and 3 months for another.[568] Brabham was working as a driving instructor at the time of the offences. He was acquitted of five other counts of paedophila.
Dominic Chappell Retired N/A tax evasion 6 years Released in November 2023 after serving 3 years of his 6 year sentence.[569][570] Recalled in March 2024, after breaching his licence conditions.[571]
Jochen Dauer Retired N/A tax evasion 42 months [572]
Kaye Don MG Cars N/A Manslaughter 4 months [573]
Andy Evans Inactive N/A bank fraud 6 months Released in 1986[574]
Roy James Self entry Formula Junior Robbery with violence 25 years for conspiracy and a 30 years for armed robbery, to be served concurrently.[575] Released on parole in 1975. See: Great Train Robbery (1963)
Juan Garriga Retired N/A drug trafficking and possessing firearms 2-year suspended [576]
Bertrand Gachot Jordan Grand Prix Formula One Assault and use of offensive weapon 18 months[577] Sentence was reduced to nine months and six months suspended. Released after two months.[578]
Jim Ka To Fretech FRD Team Asian Formula Renault Challenge Assault 15-month Released on appeal after serving 3 months[579][580]
Junior Johnson NASCAR Grand National Series Moonshining 2 years Served 11 months, presidentially pardoned in 1986[581]
Marco Lucchinelli Ducati Corse Superbike World Championship possession of 200 mg cocaine 5 years Released after 2 years[582]
Vic Lee Vic Lee Motorsport
(team manager/owner)
BTCC Drug trafficking 12 years (1993) Released on parole in 1998[583][584]
Vic Lee Racing
(team manager/owner)
12 years (2005)[585][586] Released in 2010[587]
Ananda Mikola Humpuss Racing Team Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Kidnapping and assault 7 months Released after serving his full sentences before the final verdict
John Paul Jr. Doug Shierson Racing CART Racketeering 5 years Served 28 months[588][589][590]
Jerry Mahony Inactive BTCC Drug trafficking 11 years Convicted with Vic Lee in the same offence[591]
Randy Lanier Arciero Racing CART conspiring to import and distribute marijuana and of being principal administrators of a Continuing Criminal Enterprise Life without Parole[592] Released in 2014 after serving 26 years following an undisclosed agreement with the court.[593]
conspiracy 40 year (concurrent)
tax fraud 5 year (concurrent)
Don Whittington Patrick Racing[594] Money laundering 18 months[595] Released in 1988[596]
Bill Whittington Arciero Racing[597] Income tax evasion and conspiracy to smuggle narcotics 180 months (15 years)[595][598] Released in 1990[599]
John Paul, Sr. JLP Racing
(team owner/driver)
IMSA Camel GT Drugs possession (1979) 3 years' probation, $32,500 fine Paul Jr. and Sr was convicted for the same incident on both occasions[600]
Possession of false passport (1985) 6 months Served sentence in Switzerland. Later extradited to the U.S.[601]
Importing marijuana, tax evasion, possession of false passport 5 years Released after serving 15 years, currently wanted for questioning since 2001 for a disappearance case.[601][588][602][603]
attempted murder of a federal witness 20 years
Russell Spence Retired N/A conspiracy to defraud 13 months [604]
Scott Tucker Inactive N/A mail fraud, making false statements to a bank 1 year (1991)
Level 5 Motorsports United SportsCar Championship racketeering, wire fraud, money laundering, Truth In Lending Act violation 16 years, 8 months (2017)
Jos Verstappen Arrows Formula One Assault 5 years suspended[605] Sentence was given after settling an out-of-court settlement with his victim
Harassment and assault 3 months suspended and 1650 fine[606]
Anthony Gobert Inactive Theft A$600 fine and given 300 hours' community service [607][608]
Kelly Petillo Inactive American Championship car racing assault and battery with intent to kill 1–10 years paroled in 1955, returned in 1957 for parole violations, released in 1959.[609]
Frank Wrathall Dynojet BTCC causing death by careless driving 21 months[610]
Salt Walther Inactive check fraud (1987) not specified
drug abuse (1987) not specified
George Walther CART/USAC theft (1992) not specified
inactive/retired illegal conveyance of painkillers into the jail (1998) 6 months, 3 years' probation [611][612][613][614]
child endangering (2000) 180 days
violating probation terms (2000) 10 months For violation of terms for the 1998 case
Failure to pay child support (2005) not specified Already served 240 hours in jail
violation of community control terms (2007) 10 months in prison, had served 240 days in jail Died December 27, 2012
"fleeing and eluding" (2007) 3 years
Charles Zwolsman, Sr. inactive Drug smuggling[615] 2 years (1987)[616]
Euro Racing
(team owner/driver)
WSC 5 years (1994) Was given an extra year following a retrial in 1995, released in 1997[616]
inactive 8 years (2001) Released in 2005.[616]
possession of 2,000 kilos of hashish and 4 counts of firearm possession 3 years (2010) Died whilst serving sentence in 2011[617][618][619]
Gene Snow Retired NHRA Drag Racing Series Sex offences against Children, "obscenity and employment harmful to a child", and aggravated sexual assault[620][621] probation and a $300 fine. Snow took a plea deal, which lowered the charges to Injury To A Child Under 15.
Adrian Sutil Force India Formula One grievous bodily harm 18-month suspended and €200,000 fine[622][623] Trial took place in Germany for an offence taking place in China
Gary Balough RahMoc NASCAR Cup Series drug trafficking 45+12 months [624]
Close


Rugby

More information Name, Discipline ...
Name Discipline Team when arrested Offense Sentence Notes
Marc Cécillon Union Retired Murder 20 years [625]
Chris Dawson Retired Murder 24 years[626] See Murder of Lynette Dawson[627]
Craig Field Retired Manslaughter 10 years [628][629] Released from prison on 3 January 2022.
Steven Pokere Union Retired Conspiracy to defraud 2+12 years [630]
Tony Neary Union Retired Fraud 5 years [47][631]
Manu Vatuvei Retired Drug smuggling (Methamphetamine) 3 years, 7 months [632]
Close


Shooting sports

More information Name, Sport ...
Name Sport Offense Sentence Notes
Gurbir Singh Sandhu ISSF Olympic skeet Possession of wild boar tusks[360] Imprisonment Represented India at the 1976 Summer Olympics
Simo Morri Rifle shooting Murder 11 years in prison[360] Represented Finland at the 1968 Summer Olympics
István Prihoda Rifle shooting Vehicular manslaughter 1 year in prison[633] Represented Hungary at the 1912 Summer Olympics
James H. Snook Military pistol Murder Execution by electric chair[634][635] Won two gold medals for the United States at the 1920 Summer Olympics
Close

Skateboarding

More information Name, Offense ...
Name Offense Sentence Notes
Jay Adams Felony assault 6 months [636]
Unspecified drug charges 2 years, 6 months Served sentenced in Hawaii[636]
Involvement in a drugs deal 4 years Completed sentence in a halfway house[636]
Christian Hosoi Drug trafficking 10 years Released after serving 4 years[637][638]
Ben Pappas Drug smuggling 12-month suspended sentence, passport revoked Pappas was arrested in Melbourne for transporting cocaine from the United States.[639]
Tas Pappas Assault 2 months, followed by parole Pappas violated his parole by crashing his car while intoxicated and was deported from California to Australia.[639]
Drug smuggling 3 years Pappas spent time in six prisons after attempting to transport cocaine from South America to Australia.[639]
Mark Rogowski Rape and murder 31 years Was recommended for release by San Diego Parole Board in June 2022 after serving thirty years.[640][641][642][643] California governor Gavin Newsom ultimately reversed the parole board's decision.[644] As of January 2026, Rogowski is still incarcerated.
Close

Snooker

More information Name, Offense ...
Name Offense Sentence Notes
Silvino Francisco Drugs smuggling 3 years [47]
Liang Wenbo Domestic assault £1,380 fine & 12-month community order [645]
Michael White Domestic assault 3 years [646]
Close

Snowsport

More information Name, Discipline ...
Name Discipline Offense Sentence Notes
Molly Bloom Skiing Running illegal poker games One year of probation, 200 hours of community service, and forfeiture of $125,000[647] She is a former member of the United States Ski Team. Her memoir about her conviction was adapted into the 2017 film Molly's Game.
Trevor Jacob Snowboarding Intentionally crashing an airplane and obstructing justice 6 months in prison[648] Represented the United States at the 2014 Winter Olympics
Raimo Majuri Skiing Drug smuggling 6 years in prison[360] Represented Finland at the 1964 Winter Olympics and the 1968 Winter Olympics
Cyril Musil Skiing Espionage and illegal gun ownership 20 years[649] Escaped prison in 1950 and fled to Canada
Jeremy Nobis Skiing Driving under the influence and failing to appear in court Imprisonment; died in his jail cell[650] Represented the United States at the 1994 Winter Olympics
Petter Northug Skiing Reckless driving 50 days (2014);[651] 7 months (2020)[652] Won several Olympic and World Championship medals for Norway
Matti Nykänen Ski jumping Aggravated assault 26 months[653]
Ryan Wedding Snowboarding Drug trafficking 4 years in prison[654][655] He was added to the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in 2025 for allegedly running a major drug trafficking operation.[656]
Close

Surfing

More information Name, Offense ...
Name Offense Sentence Notes
Mickey Dora Grand larceny (credit card fraud) Not specified [657][658]
Check fraud
Jack Roland Murphy Robbery and first-degree murder Life Released on parole in 1986[659]
Close

Table tennis

More information Name, Offense ...
Name Offense Sentence Notes
Yomi Bankole Armed robbery Four years in prison Represented Nigeria at the 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympics[660]
Close

Tennis

More information Name, Offense ...
Name Offense Sentence Notes
Aleksandr Alenitsyn "[H]aving contacts with other countries" imprisonment and torture; committed suicide in prison Represented the Russian Empire at the 1912 Summer Olympics[661]
Boris Becker Tax evasion 2 years' probation, $500,000 fine [662]
Violating insolvency act (hiding assets during bankruptcy) 2 1/2 years[663] Released after serving eight months, and deported from UK to Germany[664]
Bernard Boileau Drug use, assault and dangerous driving 3 years[665]
Bob Hewitt Rape 8 years[666] Two of the eight years suspended
Roscoe Tanner Theft, fraud 2 years[667] Released after one year.[668]
Bill Tilden Contributing to the delinquency of a minor 1 year (1946) Served 7+12 months[669]
1 year (1949) 10 months[669][670]
Nick Kyrgios Assault None Case dismissed by judge despite guilty plea[671]
Close

Track and field

More information Name, Discipline(s) ...
Name Discipline(s) Offense Sentence Notes
Hicham Bouaouiche Long-distance running Murder, robbery, and rape and incest 25 years[672][11] Represented Morocco at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
David Bunevacz Decathlon Securities fraud and wire fraud 17 years and six months[673] Competed for UCLA and the Philippines
George Daniels Sprinting Raping his niece 7 years[674] Represented Ghana at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics[675]
Charles Dewachtere Long-distance running Getting into an altercation 30 months[676] Represented Belgium at the 1952 Summer Olympics.
Falih Fahmi Sprinting Insulting Saddam Hussein Torture and execution[677] Represented Iraq at the 1960 Summer Olympics
David Jenkins Sprinting Trafficking of anabolic steroids 7 years Olympic silver medalist, represented Great Britain at the 1972, 1976, and 1980 Summer Olympics. Released after 9 months[47]
Lauren Jeska Fell running Attempted murder, assault occasioning actual bodily harm 18 years [678]
Marion Jones Sprinting, long jump, basketball Obstruction of justice, perjury 6 months and 200 hours community service[679] Represented the United States at the 2000 Summer Olympics, later stripped of medals.
Jeff Julian Long-distance running Conspiracy to defraud 2 years[680] Represented New Zealand at the 1960 Summer Olympics
Jozef Koščak Long-distance running Treason and espionage 5 years; he was later cleared of all charges[681] Represented Czechoslovakia at the 1928 Summer Olympics
Knut Lindberg Javelin throw, sprinting, ancient pentathlon, soccer Murder 7 months of hard labor[682] Represented Sweden at the 1906 Intercalated Games and the 1908 and 1912 Summer Olympics
Tim Montgomery Sprinting Fraud, drug distribution 46 months[683]
5 years[684]
Olympic medalist, represented the United States at the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics.
Fabian Muyaba Sprinting Defrauding the US government 10 years[360] Represented Zimbabwe at the 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympics
Marvin Nash Sprinting Selling crack cocaine to an undercover police officer[685] Imprisonment Represented Canada at the 1976 Summer Olympics
Chris Nelloms Sprinting Rape, felonious sexual penetration Life imprisonment Competed for Ohio State and the United States. Eligible for parole in 2039[686]
Sylvester Omodiale Hurdling Smuggling cocaine 4 years[360] Represented Nigeria at the 2000 Summer Olympics
Igor Paklin High jump Manslaughter[360] Imprisonment
Vasilis Papageorgopoulos Sprinting Embezzlement Sentenced to life, reduced to 20 years;[687] granted parole due to health problems[688]
Oscar Pistorius Sprinting Premeditated murder 13 years, 5 months[689] Initially sentenced to 5 years for culpable homicide. Conviction was changed to premeditated murder by an appeals court, and sentence was extended to 6 years in November 2016.[690] On further appeal the sentence was extended to 15 years less time served.[689]
Simon Poelman Decathlon Importation of drugs 3 years[691]
Steve Riddick Sprinting Money laundering and fraud 5 years, 3 months[692]
Besu Sado Middle-distance running Murdering her husband Life in prison[693] Represented Ethiopia at the 2016 Summer Olympics
Lebogang Shange Race walking Rape and assault 10 years[694][695] Represented South Africa at the 2016 Summer Olympics
Patric Suter Hammer throw Double murder Life in prison[360] Represented Switzerland at the 2004 Olympics
Close

Volleyball

More information Name, Discipline ...
Name Discipline Offense Sentence Notes
Rob Groenhuyzen Volleyball Politically-motivated vandalism 3 years[696] Represented the Netherlands at the 1964 Summer Olympics
Steven van de Velde Beach Child rape 4 years Sentenced in the UK where the crime was committed. He served a sentence in his native Netherlands, but was released after one year.[697][698]
Close

Weightlifting

More information Name, Offense ...
Name Offense Sentence Notes
Pablo Lara Firearm possession[360] Imprisonment Represented Cuba at the 1996 Summer Olympics
Close

Wrestling

More information Name, Discipline ...
Name Discipline Offense Sentence Notes
Bruce Akers Greco-Roman wrestling Animal cruelty Six months' imprisonment plus twelve months of community correction service[699] Represented Australia in the 1972 Summer Olympics, the 1976 Summer Olympics, and the 1974 British Commonwealth Games
Juana Barraza Professional wrestling 16 counts of murder and aggravated burglary 759 years in prison[700] A wrestler-turned-serial killer suspected of killing as many as 40 people, Barraza was nicknamed La Mataviejitas ("The Little Old Lady Killer") for killing elderly women.
Quincey Clark Wrestling 19 counts of child sexual abuse 19 years and 4 months[701] Represented the United States at the 2000 Summer Olympics[702]
Ion Draica Greco-Roman wrestling Fraud and tax evasion 3 years in prison, but served a reduced sentence due to health issues[703] Represented Romania in the 1980 and 1984 Summer Olympics
Péter Farkas Greco-Roman wrestling Growing marijuana 7 years in prison[704] Won a gold medal for Hungary at the 1992 Summer Olympics
Toni Hannula Greco-Roman wrestling Violent crimes and robbery 10 years in prison[360] Represented Finland at the 1984 Summer Olympics
Raimo Hirvonen Greco-Roman wrestling Violent crimes and robbery[360] Imprisonment Represented Finland at the 1972 Summer Olympics
Futatsuryū Jun'ichi Sumo wrestling Murder 6 years[705] See: Tokitsukaze stable hazing scandal
Aleksandr Kolchinsky Greco-Roman wrestling Extortion 7 years in prison; was later paroled by Leonid Kuchma[706] Won Olympic gold medals for the Soviet Union in 1976 and 1980
Otari Kvantrishvili Freestyle wrestling Rape 10-year sentence, later suspended[707] Notorious mobster in Russian mafia
Houshang Montazeralzohour Greco-Roman wrestling Insurrection Torture and execution[708] Represented Iran at the 1976 Summer Olympics
Rogelio Reyes Professional wrestling Domestic violence and attempted femicide[709] 12 years and 8 months[710] A luchador who is better known as El Cuatrero.
Sebahattin Öztürk Greco-Roman wrestling Founding a criminal organization 13 years and 4 months[360]
Wakakirin Shinichi Sumo wrestling Cannabis possession 10 months, 3 years suspended [47][711]
Close

References

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI