Future/Reserves Signee Orson Charles Sentenced in I-75 Incident

The Saints organization is known for valuing the character of the players on the roster. They have also been willing to give a chance to someone who has had an "error in judgement", shall we say, as well. While a member of the Bengals, Orson Charles was charged with wanton endangerment, for pointing a gun at a motorist on I-75. His case was resolved on Friday, and he has been sentenced to 2 years unsupervised probation in a diversion program. while his chance of actually making the final 53 man roster might be small, he will at least have the opportunity to compete.

From the Kentucky Herald Ledger

A New Orleans Saints football player was sentenced to diversion Friday by a Madison Circuit Court judge.

Orson Charles, 24, a tight end with the Saints, will have a charge of wanton endangerment dismissed if he successfully completes two years of unsupervised diversion, said defense attorney James Baechtold.

Madison Circuit Judge William Clouse agreed not to impose a one-year sentence as long as Charles commits no other crimes and calls his probation and parole office once a month.

Charles pleaded guilty in December. He was accused of pointing a handgun at another motorist on Interstate 75 near Berea, said Commonwealth's Attorney David Smith. The other motorist had made an obscene gesture at Charles, Baechtold said.

Charles was with the Cincinnati Bengals at the time of the offense. He has since transferred to the Saints.

Charles was drafted by the Bengals with the 116th pick, in the 4th round of the 2012 draft. He played in 16 games as a Bengal his rookie year, starting 6 of them, and was moved to the fullback position in 2013. This may well be the position the Saints value him at, rather than the TE position.