BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- A felony charge against Alabama linebacker Juwan Simpson for possessing a stolen handgun was reduced to a misdemeanor.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department reduced the charge Tuesday after determining the gun was worth less than the $500 threshold necessary for a charge of second-degree receiving stolen property, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
The charge was reduced to third-degree receiving stolen property, a misdemeanor with a maximum one-year prison sentence.
Simpson, 21, was arrested Saturday on charges of receiving stolen property, possession of marijuana and carrying a pistol without a license after he was pulled over for driving erratically.
The gun had been reported stolen in Decatur.
Coach Mike Shula said it's too soon to decide on any possible disciplinary action against Simpson.
"If discipline is necessary, we will handle it internally and not through the media," he told the Tuscaloosa News. "We try to be fair and consistent with our discipline, but we will have accountability.
"We all make mistakes sometimes, but mistakes have consequences."
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