Two former OU football players get probation for felony after attending prison boot camp
NORMAN — Two former University of Oklahoma football players, wide receiver Trejan Bridges and running back Mikey Henderson, were put on probation for a year Wednesday.
Cleveland County District Judge Thad Balkman chose the punishments after both participated in a prison boot camp.
They pleaded guilty in September to a felony, larceny of a person at nighttime.
Both hope to play football again, defense attorneys said after the sentencings.
Bridges plans to attend college at the University of Utah, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections reported to the judge. Henderson also plans to enroll in a college, the department reported. He transferred to Tarrant County Community College in Texas after OU.
They had been charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
Under a plea agreement, they admitted guilt to an amended count, larceny, rather than robbery. The other counts against them were dismissed.
What to know about the case
Bridges and running back Seth McGowan were charged in May 2021 after a 911 caller reported to police they robbed him of marijuana at his Norman apartment.
The victim reported Bridges pointed a gun at him and threatened to kill him during the April 15, 2021, incident, police said.
The victim also reported he was beaten and a third man took jewelry, high-dollar shoes and cash from his bedroom. Henderson was charged in July 2021 after further investigation.
Bridges, now 23, was a five-star recruit from Carrollton, Texas. He had seven catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns during his freshman season in 2019. He was suspended before the Peach Bowl after testing positive for marijuana.
He played only in the Big 12 Championship and the Cotton Bowl his sophomore season because of the suspension.
Henderson, now 21, was a former four-star recruit from Irving, Texas. He had 249 total yards and two touchdowns as a freshman in 2020.
McGowan, 22, pleaded guilty Dec. 13 to larceny of a person at nighttime. His sentencing is set for March after he goes to the prison boot camp. He was still in the Cleveland County jail Wednesday.
McGowan is from Mesquite, Texas, near Dallas. He spent his 2023 season as a running back at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas.
About the punishments
The judge imposed a type of probation that is known as a deferred sentence. Bridges and Henderson will not have criminal convictions if they complete probation successfully. Also, the judge could even dismiss their cases.
Prosecutors asked for probation for five years. Defense attorneys sought an immediate dismissal.
The judge noted both had shown a willingness to change while in the prison boot camp. He said he was balancing that in making his decision against the severity of the crime and the safety of the community.
The judge expressed frustration with the Department of Corrections for not picking Bridges and Henderson up from jail sooner to go to the boot camp. Both did not complete it.
Bridges began the Regimented Inmate Discipline (RID) program at a correction center in Alva on Nov. 21, two months after his guilty plea. He completed only the "Community" part.
Henderson began Nov. 15. He completed only the "Associates for Success" part.
They have to pay a $100 fine, a $100 victim compensation assessment, court costs, probation fees and prosecution fees.
Both had private attorneys. Bridges was represented by Derek Chance of Oklahoma City. Henderson was represented by Scott Anderson of Oklahoma City.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Former OU fooball players get probation after pleading guilty to larceny
