Copyright MassLive
Former Celtics guard Tony Allen was arrested in Arkansas during a traffic stop, where he faces drug charges, according to local news outlet K8 News. Allen was booked at the county detention center Wednesday afternoon, per the center’s website. Deputies made a traffic stop, authorities said, where they approached a silver car in Poinsett County in Arkansas. The deputies then approached the driver, William Hatton, and his passenger, Allen. Allen, 43, faces two drug charges, possession of a Schedule 1 or 2 drug (less than two grams) and possession of a Schedule 4 drug (less than four ounces). Hatton faces the same charges, along with improper lane change and possession of drug paraphernalia. “During the contact, a deputy detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle, leading him to direct both individuals to exit the car,” the report said according to K8 News. After a search, deputies found a package of marijuana on Allen. They also found “various drug paraphernalia containing marijuana” as Hatton confessed it was, per K8 News. A search of the vehicle then revealed a box in Allen’s passenger seat with a white powdery substance that was later found to be cocaine. Allen played for the Celtics from 2004-10 after being drafted 25th overall in 2004 by the franchise. He won the 2008 NBA championship in Boston. Allen played in the league for 14 seasons, making six All-Defensive teams and is considered one of the best defensive guards in league history. He also played for the Grizzlies and Pelicans during his NBA career. Allen was one of 18 former NBA players who were charged as part of a health insurance fraud scheme. Former Celtics big man Glen Davis was also one of the players charged. The players were accused of defrauding the NBA players health and welfare benefit plan, where they submitted fake claims for medical and dental services. Allen avoided jail time by paying back the roughly $420,000 he received. He pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit health care and wire fraud. Allen was sentenced to three years of community service and probation.
