Drug, gun charges dropped against ex-Louisville player Chane Behanan

Thomas Novelly | Courier Journal

Charges were dropped Thursday against former University of Louisville basketball star Chane Behanan relating to possessing a stolen gun and drugs, according to court records.

Behanan pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana, but that charge was dropped after he completed a marijuana education program, according to court records.

Behanan had been accused of being a backseat passenger in a car that had “marijuana residue” and was sitting next to a stolen “AK-47-style rifle,” according to an arrest citation. The rifle was found to be stolen from Troy, Indiana, according to a background check.

Jeff Cooke, a spokesman for the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney, said the gun charges had been dropped against Behanan because another person in the car took responsibility for the gun.

Background: Former Louisville basketball player accused of having drugs, stolen gun

See also: Ex-Louisville player Chane Behanan on charges: 'We'll see what happens'

Earlier this month, a photo posted on Facebook by the Louisville Metro Police Department after the arrest showed officers had located 5.5 ounces of marijuana, marijuana-laced cigars, blunts, an AR-15 rifle and an AK-47 at the scene.

The traffic stop, according to information from LMPD, happened around 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 4 on Seventh Street Road.

Behanan was not driving the vehicle, according to the arrest citation, but everyone in the vehicle had received similar charges.

Behanan, 25, helped lead the Cardinals to the 2013 NCAA championship, which was vacated in February by the NCAA over a sex scandal involving recruits. His time with the Louisville basketball team ended in 2013 when he was dismissed by then-coach Rick Pitino over an undisclosed violation of team rules. It was later revealed that dismissal was for marijuana use.

Thomas Novelly: tnovelly@courierjournal.com, 502-582-4465. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/tomn.