Pierre Pierce gets 30 days in jail | GazetteOnline.com - Cedar Rapids, Iowa City Pierre Pierce gets 30 days in jail
By Scott Dochterman
The Gazette
scott.dochterman@gazettecommunications.com ADEL - Former University of Iowa basketball player Pierre Pierce was sentenced to 30 days in jail for violating his probation, Dallas County Judge Gregory Hulse ruled Friday.
Pierce, 24, was led from the courtroom in handcuffs by a sheriff’s deputy and escorted to jail, where he began serving his sentence.
Pierce admitted the violations before the hearing started. Hulse then read each of the violations to Pierce, who admitted to each transgression. Among his violations include downloading music and social networking unsupervised on a computer, entering a Las Vegas nightclub without a chaperon and missing curfew three times.
Perhaps the most egregious violation occurred in Las Vegas when his father — who served as his chaperon — stayed in another hotel room while Pierce had sexual relations with a female whose name he did not know.
Before sentencing, Pierce apologized, which Hulse took under consideration. Hulse said each violation was minor but collectively there were too many to discount.
“It appears to me, to be severely rejected by you, the importance of following the rules,” Hulse said. “And that, Mr. Pierce, is the very essence of the reason of probation.”
Pierce pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary, assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, false imprisonment and criminal trespass in August 2005. He served 11 months in the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility. He currently resides with his family in Westmont, Ill.
He also faced sexual assault charges in 2002 but pleaded guilty to assault causing injury.
Pierce was allowed to travel to Las Vegas for an NBA Developmental League tryout camp last July when many violations occurred. Des Moines attorney Alfredo Parrish, who has represented Pierce since 2002, expressed his disappointment with Pierce both in the courtroom and after the proceeding. He said Pierce may not have many more opportunities to play pro basketball.
“I think it’s the absolute last straw, in my opinion,” Parrish said. “I would think at 24 he’s on the cusp and this might be his last gasp. If he’s released and gets an opportunity, it would be his last opportunity, that’s my thought.
“He needs to understand that rules are there to be followed.”
