Gilbert to Face Felony Charges

Pittsburgh Magistrate Donald E. Machen ruled Thursday that Ram defensive lineman Sean Gilbert and two suspended University of Pittsburgh football players will face two felony and three lesser charges as a result of an altercation with a police officer March 24 at a Pittsburgh restaurant.

A felony criminal conspiracy charge was added to the original four charges--aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and obstructing a passageway--at a preliminary hearing for Gilbert, Reuben Brown and Jonathon McCray. Each of the assault charges carries a maximum penalty of 10 to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $25,000. The other three are misdemeanors.

Pittsburgh police Officer David Proctor testified Thursday that Gilbert punched him on the right side of his body while Brown and McCray were attempting to pin his arms down. The incident occurred at 2:20 a.m. after a female patron at the Original Hot Dog House, a 24-hour restaurant near the University of Pittsburgh, complained that Gilbert and his companions wouldn’t let her leave the establishment.

Brown and McCray were suspended from the football team shortly after the incident.

Gilbert, reached at his home in Pittsburgh, said he was surprised by the additional charge.

“It’s been a surprise to me that the whole thing has gone as far as it has, but it’s not for me to comment on because it won’t do any good,” he said. “I’ve never been involved in anything like this before. I’m just coming back out there (to Anaheim) to work out and then we’ll see what happens.”

A trial date is expected to be set June 8 in Pittsburgh Common Pleas Court.