Former Michigan State University basketball star Keith Appling has been charged after allegedly bringing a loaded gun to a local strip club.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced the weapons charges Wednesday.
On May 1, Appling was reportedly observed pulling a gun out of the trunk of a car in the parking lot of the Pantheon Club in Dearborn.
Police responded and approached the 24-year-old. Police searched the car and found a handgun under the driver's seat, a loaded assault rifle in the trunk and a small amount of marijuana. He was placed under arrest.
Appling has been charged with Carrying a Concealed Weapon, a five year felony, Possession of a Loaded Firearm in a Vehicle, a two year misdemeanor, and Possession of Marijuana, a one year misdemeanor.
Today Appling pled not guilty.
“It is our contention that the vehicle search might have been illegal,” said Appling’s attorney, Cyril Hall, after the arraignment hearing. “As a result of that we plan to fight that particular issue.”
His attorneys plan to fight all of the charges.
“He does not use marijuana,” said Hall. “Let’s be clear about that and he is going to be tested for that and we are going to present the tests.”
"There was no rifle or assault rifle, AK-47,” said Appling’s attorney Amir Makled. “We do know for a fact that there was not an AK47.”
Appling just finished the 2015 - 2016 season with the Erie BayHawks, an Orlando Magic development team.
He played in 35 games and started in 34.
