Jets Sign Seventh Round Pick Safety Antonio Allen; Ellis Accepts Plea Deal Will Not Be Deported

According to Jenny Vrentas of The Star Ledger the Jets have signed seventh round pick (#242 overall) safety Antonio Allen to a contract:

The Jets have signed seventh-round pick Antonio Allen to a four-year deal … He received a signing bonus of $45,896.

Allen is a versatile player who played both linebacker and safety for South Carolina. The Jets were excited he was still on the board at pick No. 242 in the seventh round to add depth to their safety spot.

Daily News columnist Manish Mehta tweeted about the Allen signing:

[tweet_embed id=203156848419938304]

[tweet_embed id=203157041475362816]

Here is what Allen’s four year contract looks like:

As reported in Jet-Nation news recap nose tackle Kenrick Ellis was facing a felony charge which could have lead to his deportation:

Nose tackle Kendrick Ellis has faced potential deportation, since he is not a United States citizen, for some legal problems since before being drafted in 2011.  ESPN’s Rich Cimini says Ellis’ trial is pending:

Ellis, facing a felony charge for malicious wounding … The criminal trial, already postponed twice, is set to begin May 22.

The Jets were aware of the pending charges when they selected Ellis in the third round of the 2011 draft. A potential complication is that Ellis is not a U.S. citizen. Ellis, a native of Jamaica who moved to Florida at the age of 11, has “permanent resident” status. A permanent resident convicted of an aggravated felony is deportable, according to immigration law.

Apparently Ellis has accepted a plea bargain which will allow him to avoid being deported:

The Jets defensive lineman (Ellis) was due to face trial on a malicious wounding felony charge next week, but S. Howard Woodson said his client (Ellis) and the victim in the case … has … agreed to a plea agreement for a lesser charge.

According to Woodson, the terms of the agreement are that Ellis will plead guilty to assault and battery, a misdemeanor charge. That plea will come with six months of active jail time, but per Virginia law, he will only have to serve half, i.e. 90 days in jail. He could also receive credit for time served.

One potential complication with the case was that Ellis faced the possibility of being deported if convicted of a felony, because he is a U.S. permanent resident, ESPN New York reported. It appears that Ellis is now safe from deportation by pleading to a misdemeanor.

 Source: Newark Star Ledger/Jenny Vrentas

 Manish Mehta Also tweeted about the Ellis plea bargain:

[tweet_embed id=203215535008260096]

Ellis and the Jets avoid a major problem while the team is left with only three draft picks to sign: No.16 – Quinton Coples, No.77 – Demario Davis and No.244 – Jordan White.  Hopefully the remaining Jets draftees will be under contract soon.

For more on Ellis and other Jet matters go to our Jets-Nation forum.

Dennis Agapito

See Full Bio