Kings’ Randolph is charged
NBA star is accused of marijuana possession and resisting arrest during clash in Watts.
The Sacramento Kings’ Zach Randolph was charged this week with marijuana possession and resisting arrest after his arrest last month during a clash between police and a crowd outside the Nickerson Gardens housing project in Watts.
Randolph, 36, who was originally arrested on suspicion of possession of marijuana for sale, a felony, is now facing two misdemeanor counts, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court documents filed Thursday.
L.A. city prosecutors allege in court documents that the Kings forward was in possession of more than 28.5 grams (about 1 ounce) of marijuana, more than 4 grams of concentrated cannabis or both.
The former All-Star and another man were arrested Aug. 9 after gang officers observed a large crowd near 112th Street and Zamora Avenue and tried to disperse it, said Officer Liliana Preciado, a spokeswoman for the LAPD.
The crowd was drinking, smoking marijuana, playing loud music and blocking the road, she said.
Officers chased the group. As they were detaining the men, Preciado said, the crowd became agitated and surrounded the officers.
Additional police and L.A. County sheriff ’s deputies formed skirmish lines to disperse the growing crowd.
The crowd eventually scattered but left damage. Preciado said five police vehicles and one sheriff ’s vehicle had their windows smashed and tires slashed.
Police impounded two vehicles and recovered two guns and narcotics.