Brittney Griner is a former WNBA superstar who pleaded guilty drug smuggling. She was arrested in Russia in 2016 and later sentenced to nine years in prison. Griner, a former high school star, was the leader of the United States women’s basketball team to Rio Olympics 2016. Griner's story is not perfect, but Griner made a wise decision and is already in prison.
WNBA Star brittney griner pleaded guilty at drug smuggling
The WNBA superstar was arrested in February. She pleaded guilty at the time to drug smuggling. She was sentenced for three years and will serve the remainder of her sentence in Russian prison. Griner admitted that she was involved with smuggling drugs but said she didn't intend to break the law.
She was arrested in Russia in 2016.
Griner, despite her international fame and notoriety, has not been silenced. Although Griner's supporters have called for Griner to be released, her husband and team remain silent. In a statement, they said they do not have "political knowledge" of Griner's arrest. The Russian government has a harsh anti-drug culture. Griner was arrested, which has made her very embarrassed, and the WNBA didn't do anything to support her.
She was instrumental in leading the United States women’s hockey team to victory in Rio Olympics.
Griner has won multiple gold medals despite being only twenty-one years old. She was part of the USA women’s team basketball in Rio de Janeiro where they defeated Spain 101-72 for the gold medal. She also won a gold medal at the FIBA World Cup in 2011. She has won many national and international honors over the years, including All-Tournament Team, Most Valuable Player in Gold Medal Game, and numerous other international honors.
She was sentenced at the age of nine to prison
Griner has been declared a "wrongful detainee" by the U.S. government and they are working to get her back. Bill Richardson, a former U.S. ambassador at the United Nations, has been designated to assist. Richardson is a skilled hostage negotiator with extensive experience and will immediately work to get Griner back. Griner is currently under the care of a consular officers. The consular officer visited Griner on May 19, and said that Griner was doing well despite the difficult circumstances. Griner's rights are being respected and Griner is being given more access by the State Department.
Now her fate is dependent on diplomatic negotiations between Russia & the U.S.
Griner was still in detention on Thursday as her family searches for an exchange. Diplomatic negotiations between the U.S. and Russia have been ongoing since June. Griner's Russian legal actions against her are not relevant domestically. However, they will not prevent her from seeking a presidential Pardon. Griner's fate remains in the hands of Russia.