Knicks guard Felton arrested on gun charges

New York Knicks point guard Raymond Felton leaves Manhattan Criminal Court after his arraignment in New York February 25, 2014. Felton was arrested on felony gun possession charges after turning himself in early Tuesday morning.  [Photo/Agencies]

NEW YORK - New York Knicks point guard Raymond Felton was arrested Tuesday on two felony weapons possession charges in Manhattan Criminal Court.

The arraignment followed an early morning arrest after a lawyer for his wife turned in a loaded semi-automatic handgun allegedly belonging to the basketball star to a police precinct, claiming she no longer wanted it in their home, authorities said.

Wearing a black sweatshirt with a peace sign and other symbols on it, Felton was seemingly upbeat as he appeared before Judge Diana Boyar, nodding affirmatively after he was ordered to stay away from his wife, Ariane Raymondo-Felton.
He did not enter a plea, which is common for this stage in the case.

Felton was released on 25,000-dollar bail and was ushered into a black SUV following his arraignment. Under the terms of his bond, Felton can travel to games, bail bondsman Ira Judelson said.

Prosecutors said they were told Felton stored the Belgian-made FN Herstal model handgun in the home from August through February.

New York Knicks point guard Raymond Felton dribbles the ball during a game against the Dallas Mavericks in New York, in this file photo taken February 24, 2014. Felton turned himself in early Tuesday to be arrested on weapons charges for possessing a gun that was not registered to him in New York City, a police spokesman said.  [Photo/Agencies]

A lawyer for Felton's wife, a student at Fordham University School of Law, dropped off the weapon at a stationhouse on Manhattan's upper West Side on Monday evening.

He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree and criminal possession of a firearm. The firearm charge is punishable by up to four years in prison. The weapons charge is punishable by up to seven years in prison.

Felton has had a disappointing season, averaging 10.4 points and shooting 40 percent while missing 16 games with a series of injuries.

He has been frequently criticized by fans as the Knicks have fallen to 21-36.