May 3, 2007

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA (TICKER) -- The offcourt problems for Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest apparently are landing him in jail.

The Sacramento Bee on Thursday reported that Artest was sentenced in Placer Superior Court to 20 days in jail, 100 hours of community service, anger-management and fathering courses and three years of searchable probation.

The sentence stems from domestic violence charges involving Artest and his wife, Kimsha.

Artest was arrested on March 5 after the Placer County Sheriff's Department responded to an emergency call from an anonymous female, who claimed to have been assaulted by the Kings swingman.

According to a police report, both parties were interviewed and Artest was arrested on charges of domestic violence and using force or violence to prevent his victim from reporting a crime.

The arrest marked yet another ugly incident involving Artest, who gained notoriety as a member of the Indiana Pacers for his role in the infamous brawl with Detroit Pistons fans in November 2004.

The melee began when Artest charged into the stands at The Palace of Auburn Hills, igniting a wild fight between fans and several Pacers players.

The 2004 Defensive Player of the Year, Artest was suspended without pay by the NBA for the last 75 games of the 2004-05 season, a penalty which cost him nearly $5 million in salary.

Artest made more negative headlines the following season when he publicly requested a trade in December 2005. Indiana eventually granted the surly star's request, dealing him to Sacramento for Peja Stojakovic.

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