Tide's Johnson issues apology as part of plea deal

TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama junior safety Rashad Johnson has issued an apology as part of his plea deal with the Tuscaloosa city attorney’s office which should result in the dismissal of his disorderly conduct charges, according to the law firm representing Johnson.

“I regret that my actions contributed to an arrest on Feb. 23, 2008, and want to make it clear that I support the Tuscaloosa Police Department and their attempts to maintain public safety,” Johnson said in a statement by the law firm of Brinyark, Lee, Hickman & Hocutt.

The case will be dismissed once all terms of the agreement are completed, which includes 40 hours of community service. Details have yet to be worked out, but the community service will likely be with the Tuscaloosa Police Athletic League, an after-school program for at-risk kids, and must be completed by early June.

Called deferred prosecution, the common settlement is often reached for first-time offenders who are too old to be classified as youthful offenders. Johnson, an All-SEC selection last season, is 22.