Blatche To Attend 'John School'
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, September 1, 2007; Page E04
Washington Wizards forward Andray Blatche, who was arrested Aug. 2 in an undercover sting, agreed today to attend a day-long seminar offered by prosecutors for men who solicit prostitutes.
Blatche appeared this morning before Judge Rafael Diaz in D.C. Superior Court. Prosecutors agreed to dismiss a sexual solicitation charge if Blatche successfully completes the Nov. 3 class. The team has a home game that night against Orlando.
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Blatche was arrested early Aug. 2 in front of 10 Thomas Circle in Northwest Washington after he allegedly tried to solicit sex from a female police officer in the prostitution enforcement unit. The class he is to attend -- informally known as "John School" -- is a regular seminar offered by prosecutors, usually for first-time offenders arrested for solicitation. The seminar features lectures by police officers and prosecutors on the laws regarding prostitution, safe sex and the dangers associated with soliciting prostitutes.
During today's hearing, the judge reprimanded Blatche for not checking in with the D.C. Pretrial Services Agency each week -- as required in the conditions of his release when he was arrested.
Blatche, 21, is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 8; the Wizards play that night at New Jersey. Dressed in a striped gray shirt and black pants, he declined to comment after the hearing. Blatche's attorney, Pleasant S. Brodnax III also declined to comment.
The 6-foot-11 Blatche was the Wizards' second-round draft pick in 2005 and has appeared in 85 games in two seasons. The team recently signed him to a multiyear contract extension.
"Andray is taking the necessary steps to resolve this situation and put it behind him," Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld said in a statement yesterday.
Blatche's brief NBA career has been overshadowed by off-court misfortune. The Syracuse, N.Y., native missed most of his rookie season and all of training camp recovering from gunshot wounds suffered in a carjacking attempt near his home in Alexandria, in September 2005.
Staff writer Michael Lee contributed to this report.
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