Plea deal for ex-Village People cop and he writes a book

[jimnysf]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 4:14pm

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/07/19/MNGVSK1S3L10.DTL


(07-19) 11:12 PDT REDWOOD CITY -- Former Village People lead singer Victor Willis pleaded no contest today to drug charges in San Mateo County Superior Court in a plea deal that could land him in state prison for up to two years or in a drug treatment program.

Judge Mark Forcum will weigh a probation department report and other factors before sentencing Willis on Sept. 1.

"We're hopeful that the judge will opt for the treatment program," defense attorney Mark Geragos said after today's hearing. "(Willis) wants to get these problems addressed. He's very much committed to treatment."

Willis was the "cop" character in the famed disco group and co-wrote such staples as "Y.M.C.A." and "Macho Man." He and a female companion were arrested following a traffic stop in South San Francisco in March. Both initially gave false names to police, and officers later found a small amount of cocaine and drug paraphernalia, prosecutors said.

At the time, Willis had a warrant out for his arrest after failing to appear for sentencing on a September conviction on drugs and weapons charges stemming from a July 2005 traffic stop in Daly City, when police found Willis had 3 grams of cocaine and a loaded .45-caliber handgun. He has a third case in San Mateo County for a probation violation.

Willis is currently being held in the San Mateo County jail and is participating in the jail's Choices drug treatment program, his attorney said.

"If you take a look at all these cases, substance abuse is at their root," Geragos said. "You don't have to be a veteran of the legal system to see that."

Under terms of today's plea deal, Willis can receive one of two sentences: two years in state prison or enrollment in a drug program and six months in county jail. The more than four months he's already spent in jail on the case would apply toward the six month total. The treatment option would also carry a suspended prison sentence of three years and 8 months that could be imposed if Willis violated terms of the agreement.

In a statement on his Web site, Willis said he was sober for the first time in more than 25 years, and he lamented the "excesses of the disco era that many artists like me found difficult to shake almost 30 years later.

"I look forward to being released soon into a residential treatment program that will assure my continued sobriety which I'm fully committed (to)," Willis wrote. "Simply put, by the grace of god, I made it out of this thing alive and still physically fit and healthy. I look forward to enjoying the second half of my life, drug-free."

Willis said he planned to release a book about his life in January 2007 and launch a tour in summer 2007.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 6:12pm

Here's the video from CBS5 in SF

http://cbs5.com/topstories/local_story_200150430.html

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 6:36pm

Jimmy, I love your signature. I loved that movie when it came out and that line by Ms. Sokol(Dr. Velma Rubin:"In-To-Me-See) always stayed with me. I also loved the song "Give Me A Break" by the Richie Family!

I've got my education, I've got determination
I've got imagination, come on give me a break
I've got my education, I've got determination
I've got imagination, come on give me a break


Hey Jimmy, Do the shake!


Updated On: 7/19/06 at 06:36 PM

[jimnysf]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 6:52pm

Always live by these words Chita33,

Everyone you meet, the children in the street
are swayin' to the rhythm, there's somethin' movin' in them.
There's no place to hide, so, why even try?
Can't you hear it coming your way, it's here to stay.
Music in our walk, music when we talk.
It's really something magic, to lose it would be tragic.
Can't you feel the sound movin' through the ground?
Music makes the world go around.

You can't stop the music, nobody can stop the music.
Take the cold from snow, tell the trees, don't grow,
tell the wind, don't blow, 'cause it's easier.
No, you can't stop the music, nobody can stop the music.
Take the spark from love, make the rain fall up
'cause that's easier to do.

Movin' with the wind since the world began,
the beat is gonna getcha, beat is gonna getcha.
Music for the blues, for your dancin' shoes,
there's music in the way that we kiss, you can't resist.
Movin' through the trees, buzzin' with the bees,
the sound is gettin' louder, sound is gettin' louder.
Music when we play, when we kneel to pray.
There's music in the sound of the wind.

You can't stop the music, nobody can stop the music.
Take the heat from flame, try not feeling pain,
though you try in vain it's much easier.
No, you can't stop the music, nobody can stop the music.
Change the master plan, take the hope from man
'cause that's easier to do.

On the radio, on every TV show
for each and every reason, each and every season.
Music when we love for the moon above,
music for the show of life that never ends.
Music on a plane, music on a train,
sailing in the ocean, music in the motion.
Music in your car, at your local bar.
There's music when you look at a star.

You can't stop the music, nobody can stop the music.
Keep two loves apart, Mend a broken heart
Catch a falling star, that's much easier.
No, you can't stop the music, nobody can stop the music.
Tell the sun don't shine, stop old Father Time
'cause that's easier to do.

You can't stop the music, nobody can stop the music.
Take the cold from snow, tell the trees, don't grow,
tell the wind, don't blow, 'cause it's easier.
No, you can't stop the music, nobody can stop the music.
Take the spark from love, make the rain fall up
'cause that's easier to do.

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/20/06 at 12:22pm

And he's the former husband of Phylicia Rashad.

And I'll bet she's just REAL excited about his book.