One of the four men who accused Bishop Eddie Long of sexual misconduct was given probation Tuesday on drug charges in Miami.
Jamal Parris, 24, pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and was sentenced to a year's probation by 11th Circuit Court Judge Bronwyn C. Miller. A weapons charge was dropped.
Parris was stopped June 28 driving a white 2011 BMW in Miami Beach when a Florida Highway Patrol officer noticed that it had no tags.
Sgt. Seth Dubinsky said when he approached it, he smelled marijuana.
Dubinsky searched the car and said he found 181 grams of marijuana, which is worth about $1,000 on the street. He said he also found 50 clear plastic baggies and a Taurus semiautomatic handgun. He said Parris also was carrying $1,250 in cash.
Parris was arrested and charged with two felony counts: possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm while committing a felony. He also was charged with operating a motor vehicle with no registration, a misdemeanor.
Parris and three other men sued Long, the Longfellows Youth Academy and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church of Lithonia, accusing the bishop of using his influence, trips, gifts and jobs to coerce them into sexual relations. The parties settled the case in May without disclosing the terms.
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