TYLER, Texas — Editor's Note: The above video aired in February 2024.
Patrick Mahomes Sr., the father of Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes II, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to DWI third time or more charge.
Mahomes Sr., was arrested on Feb. 3 after a traffic stop around 8:30 p.m. in the 1100 block of W. Gentry Pkwy for driving while intoxicated for a third time or more. The officer said there was evidence obtained during the stop that led to his arrest for DWI.
On Tuesday, he was set to go to trial in the case, but he decided to enter a guilty plea. He is expected to formally receive five years' probation with intense supervision for the first year. If Mahomes Sr. were to fail his probation, he could face 10 years in prison.
An arrest affidavit states that during the stop, the officer spotted an open 16 oz. beer can in the console. Mahomes Sr. also admitted to having "a few beers" at a bar. When a field sobriety test was performed, the arresting officer said they noticed evidence of intoxication. The registration on his vehicle had also been expired since September 2022, according to the document.
A DWI third time or more is considered a third-degree felony. A person convicted of a third-degree felony can face two to 10 years in prison and possibly a fine not exceeding $10,000, according to the Texas Penal Code.
"You never want to plead guilty unless you have to. That being said, this punishment is palatable," said Jeremy Rosenthal, a Texas Defense Firm lawyer. "And a lot of times you have to weigh the possible punishment with just how strong your case is."
Rosenthal said the plea deal feels like a normal result for a case like Mahomes Sr.'s.
"It doesn’t sound like he got any kind of preferential treatment. And if you think about it like this, Smith County gets their thumb on him for five years, whereas if he had gone to prison, at most it would be there potentially 2.5 years."
Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman said those placed on probation or community supervision have to follow a list of rules
"Any violation of those could cause someone to go to jail and be revoked and ultimately sent to prison," Putman said.
Mahomes Sr. claims that he is currently six months sober, which Rosenthal said may help him.
"Mr. Mahomes actually sought help before coming to court, got some treatment and has been addressing his addiction issues, which makes him a good candidate for probation," Rosenthal said.
He will be formally sentenced on Sept. 23 in the 7th District Court.
Mahomes Sr., also has a pre-trial hearing in October for driving with an invalid license.
In 2019, Mahomes Sr., was sentenced to 40 days in jail for DWI second or more. Judicial records state he served weekends to fulfill that sentence.