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Buffalo Bills DT Adolphus Washington pleads not guilty to weapons charge

By The Sports Xchange
Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Adolphus Washington pleaded not guilty on Monday to a misdemeanor charge of improperly carrying a concealed firearm. Photo courtesy of Buffalo News Sports/Twitter
Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Adolphus Washington pleaded not guilty on Monday to a misdemeanor charge of improperly carrying a concealed firearm. Photo courtesy of Buffalo News Sports/Twitter

Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Adolphus Washington pleaded not guilty on Monday to a misdemeanor charge of improperly carrying a concealed firearm.

Washington, 24, was arrested on July 9 at a water park in the Cincinnati suburb of Sharonville.

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According to the police report, Washington was arrested after he "reached for and displayed a gun while sitting inside his vehicle, just feet away from officers."

A pre-trial hearing for Washington is set for Aug. 1, according to the Hamilton County Municipal Criminal and Traffic Court.

Washington, who is not required to appear in court, will not miss the 8:45 a.m. practice scheduled that day at the Bills' St. John Fisher training camp in Pittsford, N.Y., according to the Buffalo News.

"I believe the charges are factually and legally inappropriate," Washington's attorney, Clyde Bennett, told ESPN. "I don't believe that Mr. Washington committed any crimes. That is why we have filed a motion to dismiss. Our intent and plan is to have the charges against him dismissed."

Bennett told ESPN that he believes the charge against Washington is not appropriate because his client was not stopped by the police and was rather "one of many patrons" in the parking lot. The attorney also said Washington's weapon was "open and obvious" because he was driving a three-wheeled vehicle with an open top.

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The Bills released a statement after Washington's arrest, saying "since it is a pending legal matter, we will have no further comment."

Buffalo selected the 6-foot-4, 295-pound Washington, a Cincinnati native, in the third round of the 2016 draft out of Ohio State. He played in 15 games with 11 starts last season, recording 21 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Washington was suspended by Ohio State for its Fiesta Bowl win in January 2016 after he was cited for solicitation of prostitution in Columbus, Ohio. The charges were dismissed conditionally after completing a program.

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