Name of Chosen Criminal: Allen Iverson (aka AI, The Answer) “I had a lot of growing up to do. A lot of times, I learned the hard way.” -Iverson

Background: Born June 7, 1975 in Hampton, Virginia Raised by his single mother after his father left them Attended high school at Bethel High School in Hampton, VA Star athlete in football and basketball at Bethel Had to complete his senior year of high school at Richard Milburn High School, a school for at- risk students, after serving time in prison Attended Georgetown University for two years on a basketball scholarship 1st overall pick selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1996 NBA Draft Had a very successful career in the NBA for 14 years Retired in 2013 after “losing desire to play” Involved in an altercation at a bowling alley Had financial issues after retiring from the NBA Has a shoe contract with Reebok

Crimes Accused on Committing: Date Victim(S) Punishment Maiming by mob February 14, 1993 People in local bowling alley Sentenced to 5 years in prison (granted conditional release by the governor of Virginia after 4 months) Speeding, carrying a concealed weapon, and for possession of marijuana April 25, 1997 N/A Pleaded no contest and was sentenced to community service and probation Def: wound or injure (someone) so that part of the body is permanently damaged Def: kept secret; hidden

Most Recent Crime July 3, 2002 Accused of assaulting his wife and kicking her out of their house after an altercation Went to look for his wife, Tawanna Iverson, while trespassing and carrying an unlicensed gun Threatened two men after breaking in an apartment in search for Tawanna Charged with three felonies, including trespassing, gun counts and criminal conspiracy as well as six misdemeanors, including simple assault, false imprisonment and making terroristic threats Evidence: Turned himself into the police Found gun later in Iverson’s apartment Videotape of Iverson kicking out his wife 911 call of two men who were threatened One of the men claimed Iverson was carrying a gun Sentence: Probation and community service Def: an act, criminal or tortious, that threatens physical harm to a person, whether or not actual harm is done Def: A criminal offense that is less serious than a felony and generally punishable by a fine, a jail term of up to a year, or both

Sociological Theory to Explain Iverson’s Deviant Behavior The theory to explain Allen Iverson’s behavior would be the Differential- Association Theory. This states that one’s behavior is determined by the people they hang around. So if someone hangs around people who are hard-working and stay out of trouble, then that person will most likely follow what their friends are doing. Growing up in a bad section of the city often contributes to this theory. Allen Iverson grew up in Hampton, Virginia. He lived in a bad part of the town where there was not very good influences for him. He often hung out with people who were always getting into trouble. Iverson constantly hung around people like this who were not a good influence for him. He made it to the NBA and had a successful career, unlike many of his other friends. He made it big, but continued to hang out with his friends who caused trouble. His peers influenced him into making poor decisions which lead to his criminal behavior. If Iverson would have separated himself from the people who were up to no good, then he would have been less likely to commit a crime.

Cultural References Books: Not a Game by Kent Babb Only the Strong Survive by Larry Platt Allen Iverson by John N. Smallwood Movies: Allen Iverson: The Answer Documentary No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson Famous Practice Rant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frsId3goYYE