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Updated: January 20, 2009, 7:04 pm	Share    Print    Email

East Hampton basketball star Mike Russell with East Hampton Head Coach Ed Petrie, his grandfather, during the 2008 season. Photo by Brett Mauser

Riverhead - Michael Russell, the former East Hampton basketball star who led his team to the Class A state championship game last March, was sentenced to one year at Suffolk County Jail on Tuesday for the series of charges against him, which included felonies of attempted burglary and possession of stolen property.

Russell, who turns 19 next month, entered Court Room 16 at the Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex at 11:20 a.m., wearing a blue-green jumpsuit. His hands were handcuffed behind his back, and his frame was slightly bigger than his playing weight. Upon his arrival, Judge C. Randall Hinrichs read the charges to which Russell admitted guilt - felony attempted burglary in the second degree, fourth-degree felony possession of stolen property, as well misdemeanor charges of petit larceny and two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief.

He turned himself into authorities on Aug. 14 following a pair of incidents in which he was involved. The first was on July 14 when Russell broke into an East Hampton residence and stole $2,000 worth of merchandise. Two weeks later, he broke into two vehicles at East By Northeast Restaurant in Montauk and stole an iPod and cash. Russell pled guilty to all charges.

Russell was originally arraigned on the misdemeanor charges at East Hampton Justice Court. He stayed at Suffolk County Jail until the $1,500 bail was posted. A month later, he was arraigned in Riverhead for the felony charges, for which a $10,000 bail was set. In addition to the recent charges, Russell also violated the terms of his probation stemming from an April 2007 incident in which he was charged with first and second-degree attempted robbery.

The former Bonac star was read his sentence, with credit for time served. Hinrichs inquired whether Russell would like to make a statement before the court, an option he declined. Five minutes after he first appeared, Russell was led off by the bailiff to continue serving his sentence.

According to his lawyer, Trevor Darrell of East Hampton, Russell was facing 16 months to four years for all the charges. As part of his plea bargain, the sentence was reduced to one year. With good behavior, Darrell believes Russell could be released after eight months' time, and approximated that his client has already served five months of his term.

"I wanted less, but that's what the judge was willing to go along with, and Mr. Russell was willing to accept that," Darrell said.

Upon his release, the charges put forth by police in Keene, NH, stemming from an incident this summer, which include felony sexual assault, will be addressed.

Last winter, Russell and the Bonackers blew past Harborfields and Jericho on their way to the Class A Long Island championship. After beating Buffalo East in the semifinals, East Hampton was finally downed by Jamesville-DeWitt in the state title game. Following their run, Russell was named to the Class A All-State Team, the first Long Islander to garner the honor since Manhasset's Danny Green, now a senior at the University of North Carolina, accomplished the feat in 2005.

Russell finished his career with 1,673 points, which is second at EHHS only to Long Island record holder Kenny Wood. With Russell's leadership, Bonac accumulated a sparkling record of 81-9.