Felony charges against former top recruit Emoni Bates to be dismissed

The felony charges against Emoni Bates, a former top recruit now at Eastern Michigan, are set to be dismissed next week, his lawyer told ESPN.

Attorney Steve Haney said in a phone interview on Thursday that Bates is in the process of being reinstated by the university, athletic department and president. He had been suspended the last three weeks pending resolution of the felony charges.

Haney added that felony charges against Bates are set to be dismissed on Wednesday, Oct. 19 in a session before the Washtenaw County Circuit Court.

Haney said he has negotiated a plea deal with the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's office in exchange for the dismissal of all felony charges. Bates is expected to plead to one misdemeanor count of attempted illegal transportation of a weapon. It will be entirely dismissed upon completion of a misdemeanor diversion program.

Eastern Michigan University sources confirmed to ESPN that Bates has been cleared to return for athletics practice and is in the process of being cleared to return to campus for classes.

«It's my understanding he's actively being cleared by the school administration to return to campus today to resume his studies and his basketball career,» Haney said. «I'm very pleased this matter has been resolved so Emoni can get back to school and join his teammates.»

Bates was arrested on Sept. 18 and charged with carrying a concealed weapon and «altering ID marks» on a firearm. A plea of not guilty was entered on Bates' behalf the following day.

Haney told ESPN that the arrest came after a routine traffic stop when Bates was driving a borrowed car that had a gun in it.

According to the police report obtained by ESPN, deputies observed a black Mitsubishi Outlander run a stop sign and