from the OC Register:
SANTA ANA - Ultimate Fighting Championship brawler Quinton "Rampage" Jackson pleaded guilty today to felony evading police and misdemeanor reckless driving for a high-speed chase down Newport Boulevard last July that left a wake of crumpled cars and scared pedestrians.
Jackson, a former UFC champion and one its brightest stars, was ordered to complete 200 hours of community service, seek mental heath therapy, and pay restitution to the people whose cars he damaged.
Superior Court Judge Thomas Goethals said if Jackson, 30, successfully completes those terms, the felony charge will be dismissed against him and he will likely serve no time in jail when he is officially sentenced on Jan. 7, 2010.
Jackson, who said he was delirious from a lack of sleep and a lack of food when he launched the wild police chase on July 15, said he was ecstatic that he wasn't going into custody.
"No one wants to get to jail," he said after in an interview after pleading guilty. "But my main concern was that no one got hurt. I am so relieved and happy that no one was injured."
He said he decided to plead guilty because he didn't want to put the other drivers through the ordeal of a trial.
"I feel sorry for everything that happened, and I apologize," he said.
Carol Lavacot, his attorney, said Jackson wanted from the beginning to take responsibility for the episode.
She said he will spend his 200 hours of community service speaking to youth groups.
"He has learned a great deal about his physical body and about mental health" she said.
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