Vargas sentenced to 90 days in jail – Thomas Adams

[b]Vargas sentenced to 90 days in jail[/b] By Associated Press Comment on this story Send this story to a friend Get Home Delivery SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Champion boxer Fernando Vargas was sentenced to 90 days in jail for his role in a 1999 assault case in which a man was beaten with clubs and sticks. The junior middleweight must serve at least 60 days before he is eligible for parole. His term can begin no later than Jan. 6. Judge Thomas Adams also ordered Vargas on Friday to serve three years’ probation and 100 hours of community service. “I thought the sentence was a little bit unfair,” said Vargas, who had no prior felony record. “I guess the judge had his reasons for doing what he did.” Rolando Arellano, Vargas’ manager, hopes the boxer will be allowed to train at his Big Bear headquarters while wearing an electronic monitor. Vargas pleaded no contest to one felony charge of conspiracy to commit assault in May after he and four co-defendants reached a deal with the district attorney’s office. Prosecutors dropped two other assault counts. In July 1999, the boxer was visiting a woman in Summerland when he scuffled with her former boyfriend. Another man, Doug Rossi, broke up the fight. Vargas then phoned the co-defendants and they arrived armed with clubs and sticks, prosecutors said. They broke down Rossi’s bedroom door and roughed him up while Vargas watched, prosecutors said. The other defendants — Vargas’ cousin, Ernesto Vargas, 28; Freddie Flores, 23; Carlos Lopez, 29; and Vincent Arenas, 22 — pleaded guilty and received 30-day sentences. Vargas (22-1, 20 KOs) won his title by defeating Jose “Shibata” Flores on Sept. 22. Source: http://www.detnews.com/2001/moresports/0110/03/sports-306579.htm