Ex-University of Michigan football coach sentenced to 18 months probation
Sherrone Moore, the former University of Michigan football coach who was arrested on home invasion charges in December, was sentenced Tuesday to 18 months probation as part of a plea deal.
Moore appeared in court with his attorney and thanked his wife and family before Judge Cedric Simpson issued his sentence on two misdemeanor counts.
Last month, the 40-year-old ex coach pleaded no contest to malicious use of a telecommunications device and trespass charges in exchange for prosecutors dismissing more serious charges he was hit with including home invasion, in connection with the Dec. 10 incident that took place in the apartment of a former staff member at the university.
The university fired Moore prior to his arrest that day, claiming in a statement that "credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member."
Moore allegedly broke into the woman's home and threatened to harm himself after the woman left the university after filing a report against the ex-coach, prosecutors said.
The judge said that he did not think that incarceration was an appropriate punishment, but warned him that if he violated the plea deal "all bets are off."
"I don't like sending people to jail, but I don't have a problem doing it," the judge said.
Simpson admonished Moore for his actions and expressed concern for the damage he did to the victim.
"I know she was placed in fear. It was a traumatic experience for you, it was certainly a traumatic experience for her, but you had no right to spread your pain to her," he said.
As part of the plea deal, the judge barred Moore from using drugs or alcohol, possessing firearms, or having any contact with the victim and ordered him to continue counseling.
The victim, Paige Shiver, was not in court during the sentencing but released a statement through her attorney saying the sentence "does not reflect the harm done to me or the objective evidence in this case."
"December 10th was the most terrifying day of my life. The criminal acts he committed were extremely frightening and violent," Shiver said in the statement.
The university is conducting a review into the practices and culture of the athletic department following a series of scandals, ESPN reported.
