Judge Tapers Garrison's Sentence

Past U-Md. Basketball Player Will Not Register as Sex Offender

Former University of Maryland basketball player Travis Garrison won't have to serve time in prison or register as a sex offender after a judge modified his original sentence Monday for assaulting a woman at a bar in 2005.

Garrison, a forward who now plays professionally for the Great Falls Explorers in the Continental Basketball Association, pleaded guilty in June to second-degree assault and fourth-degree sex assault for slapping and grabbing the woman at a College Park bar in October 2005.

Following the plea, a Prince George's County District Court judge ordered Garrison to serve two years of probation, take anger management courses and perform 100 hours of community service. Ten of those community service hours will be lecturing in front of other Maryland athletes on the "perils of such conduct," according to prosecutors.

But the judge also ordered Garrison to spend 10 days in prison and register as a sex offender. Garrison was unaware at the time he agreed to plead guilty that he could face such a punishment and appealed the sentence, according to his current attorney.

"He was surprised to have to register as a sex offender. He was dismayed by the sentence," said Thomas Mooney, who was hired by Garrison after he replaced the lawyer who handled his plea.

Circuit Court Judge Michael Whalen agreed Monday to place the sex-offense charge on an inactive docket, meaning if Garrison completes the terms of his probation for the assault charge, the case will eventually be dropped.

Garrison was charged after a woman said he assaulted her at the popular student bar Cornerstone Grill & Loft in downtown College Park on Oct. 27, 2005. The woman told police Garrison grabbed her buttocks three times and struck her in the face after she pushed him away. The blow left her with a split lip.

Mooney said Garrison admitted to the inappropriate conduct, but was unaware if he has apologized to the woman. He was not present for Monday's hearing.

The decision to place the case on the inactive docket was done with the consent of the woman, said Prince George's Assistant State's Attorney Derron Parks.

Garrison was a McDonald's all-American in high school and averaged eight points per game during the 2005-2006 season, his last at Maryland. He has since played for the Los Angeles D-Fenders in the NBA's development league and the CBA's Explorers in Montana.