CSUN freshman guard Dallas Rutherford pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor grand theft Friday in San Fernando Superior Court after allegedly stealing merchandise from a Porter Ranch Best Buy. He was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to complete 200 hours of Caltrans service. He must also maintain a C-minus grade-average at the university.
A felony count of second-degree commercial burglary was dismissed as part of the plea deal.
Rutherford was one of four defendants charged with grand theft after he, teammate star Deon Tresvant, Jeffrey Braswell – Head Coach Bobby Braswell’s son – and actor Phannuel Gbewonyo allegedly stole $6,600 worth of merchandise on New Year’s Day.
Rutherford has returned $1,300 worth of merchandise – two iPods, two Xbox game systems and video games – to Best Buy. Tresvant, Braswell and Gbewonyo are scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 26.
Bobby Braswell said Saturday that a final decision regarding Rutherford’s status as a member of the basketball team could be coming soon.
‘(This) week some possible things could be moving,’ Braswell said. ”We’re discussing it. We’ll figure out what’s appropriate when it’s time to do what we need to do.’
