James Harden’s misdemeanor gun charge dismissed by Texas judge
A gun charge against Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star James Harden has been dismissed, according to court records.
The charge was dropped on Thursday by Harris County Criminal Court Judge Alex Salgado in Houston, Texas, at the request of the Harris County district attorney’s office.
Harden completed an alternative resolution program, which allows defendants to avoid a criminal conviction through community service, though the specific terms were not detailed.
Harden was arrested on June 13 in Houston after police found a handgun in his vehicle. The California native was accused of “unlawfully, intentionally and knowingly” having a gun in his vehicle, which was unholstered and “in plain view,” according to a copy of the complaint obtained by The New York Post.
Texas law classifies having a gun “in plain view” in a vehicle without a license as a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
Sources told the outlet that the shooting guard had been at a Houston hookah lounge with friends before the early morning arrest. Harden was released after paying a $100 bond.
The 36-year-old guard finished his 17th NBA season in May, when the Cavaliers were swept by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals. He averaged 23.6 points per game during the regular season.
Harden has indicated he wishes to remain with the Cavaliers, but declined a $42.3 million option for next season in favor of a longer contract, which is not yet finalized.
An 11-time All-Star and eight-time All-NBA selection, Harden was named MVP in the 2017-18 season while with the Houston Rockets.
