Gold Medalist Michael Phelps Pleads Guilty To DUI
BALTIMORE (WJZ) --No jail time for the most decorated Olympian of all time. The judge warned Baltimore County native, Michael Phelps, another slip-up could come with consequences.
WJZ's investigator Mike Hellgren has the details on what Phelps said after his plea.
He was apologetic. The judge said if he messed up again he was going to put him in the Baltimore City's Detention Center and he told Phelps nothing prepares you for that. He also ordered that Phelps have no alcohol at all, not a drop and he has to undergo mandatory screenings.
New video WJZ obtained shows Michael Phelps in police custody after drinking and driving in September. He's now pleaded guilty, getting a one-year suspended sentence and probation, but no jail time.
"The last three months of my life has been some of the hardest times I've ever gone through and the biggest learning experience I've ever had is finding a lot about myself," Phelps said.
WJZ also obtained a video of Phelps' white Range Rover weaving through traffic in the Ft. McHenry tunnel.
Police pulled Phelps over minutes later. They said he wreaked of alcohol.
Phelps went through an intense inpatient treatment program in a facility called The Meadows in Arizona and he's since joined Alcoholic Anonymous.
"Mr. Phelps has not been treated differently because of his celebrity status. He has really stood up to what has occurred, excepted responsibility and of course, there is a level of humiliation involved," Phelps' lawyer Steven Allen said.
U.S.A swimming suspended Phelps for six months from competition and he'll miss the 2015 World Championships in Russia. A setback as he tries to make a comeback back in the pool.
"I'll continue to grow from this and continue on my path of recovery," Phelps said. "The next couple of years are going to be very challenging. I'm very pleased and happy that I have the great support that I have around me."
Phelps plans to continue training with the goal of being in the Olympics again. He'll get continuing care for alcoholism at a program in Towson. His mother and sisters were in court on Friday along with retired Raven, Ray Lewis, who is a close, personal friend and confidant.
Phelps will not have an ignition interlock system on his car and he made get his license back as early as January.
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