CONWAY, Ark. -- A pair of University of Central Arkansas football players pleaded guilty to reduced charges, settling claims
they possessed counterfeit money, and will avoid jail as long as they stay in college and out of trouble.
Gregory Mills, a junior tackle and noseguard from Conway, and Kentrel Rogers, a junior tailback from Fordyce, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of theft of property in Faulkner County Circuit Court. Judge Michael Maggio gave each a one-year suspended jail sentences.
The pair must make $20 restitution over the next two years -- a penalty for attempting to pass a fake $20 bill at a food court.
Prosecutors say the pair were caught with several hundred dollars of counterfeit money but only passed only one bill.
Under the conditions of Maggio's sentence, Mills and Rogers must complete 12 hours per semester toward their degree in each of the next two years. If they fail, prosecutors can reinstate a forgery charge, Deputy Prosecutor David Clark said Tuesday.
Clark said the pair were very cooperative and deserved a plea-bargain.
"They wanted to make amends immediately," Clark added. He said the two showed more remorse than any other defendants he has ever seen. "They're both good kids, and they both made a silly mistake."