Gilbert Arenas Should Get Three Months Behind Bars for Gun Coverup, Say Prosecutors

WASHINGTON (CBS/AP) Prosecutors say NBA star Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards should go to jail for three months for bringing guns into his team's locker room and for allegedly trying to cover up his crime.

Prosecutors say the NBA star repeatedly lied about why the guns were in the locker room and claimed he brought them to work to get them out of his house and away from his young children.

Arenas and Javaris Crittenton, a fellow teammate on the Wizards, had a dispute following a card-game on a flight which led to the locker-room confrontation. Police say Arenas threatened to shoot Crittenton in the face and blow up his car. Arenas then allegedly laid four guns out on a chair in the locker room for Crittenton and had a sign that said, "Pick 1."

When confronted about the guns, Arena allegedly asked a teammate to forward a text to Crittenton instructing him on what to tell officials. It read, "Ur new story. U were n the training rm when u got out there were 3 guns on ur chair with a note. That said pick one. Send that to javaris ill take all the Blame. I'll come up with the story. But that all he needs to say. If we hav to talk to the nba office."

Arenas' lawyer says the player is "a peaceful man" who played a misguided prank and his punishment should just be probation and community service.

Both sides filed sentencing memoranda Tuesday, three days before the Wizards point guard is to be sentenced for a felony gun charge.

Arenas pleaded guilty Jan. 15 to one count of violating the District of Columbia's gun laws.

The government said it would not seek more than six months as part of the plea deal, although the judge can give Arenas anywhere from probation to the charge's maximum term of five years.

Arenas has been suspended for the rest of the season by the NBA.