49ers' Reuben Foster pleads no contest to assault weapon charge

SAN JOSE — San Francisco 49ers star linebacker Reuben Foster pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor assault weapon possession charge Wednesday, closing a tumultuous legal chapter that included domestic-violence charges being thrown out because his accuser recanted her allegations.

Foster was sentenced to two years probation, and will not be allowed to possess firearms or ammunition during that period. He will be allowed to fulfill a 30-day work sentence with community service at a court-approved charity or nonprofit, Judge Nona Klippen ruled Wednesday.

Foster was not in court Wednesday, and attorney Joshua Bentley entered his plea on his behalf.

Foster was also assessed $235 in fines and court fees.

'I would have imposed a larger fine, but the statute wouldn't allow for it,' Klippen said at Wednesday's hearing.

After two domestic-violence related charges were dropped last month, Foster joined the 49ers' offseason training program, and on Monday was practicing as the team's starting linebacker.

General John Lynch released a brief statement about Foster's plea.

'The 49ers organization is aware of the recent developments in the legal proceedings involving Reuben Foster and that the matter has come to a conclusion,' Lynch said.

ESPN is reporting that the NFL is still mulling a potential multi-game suspension for Foster, even as he appears to have brought his legal affairs in order. A lingering marijuana possession charge against Foster in Alabama was dismissed late last month after he completed a diversion program for first-time offenders.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Wednesday that the league will 'continue to monitor all developments in the matter which remains under review.'

The gun charge stemmed from the discovery of a loaded Sig Sauer 516 short-barreled rifle on a bathroom floor at Foster's Los Gatos home the morning of his Feb. 11 arrest on suspicion of domestic violence. It was initially charged as a felony, with prosecutors arguing that the handling and storage of the rifle warranted a serious charge.

But during a preliminary hearing last month, Klippen reduced the charge to a misdemeanor in part because the weapon was not used or brandished to threaten anyone.

The rifle was legally purchased in Alabama, where Foster played college football, but is illegal to own in California. Foster will be required to surrender the weapon as part of his plea Wednesday.

Staff writer Cam Inman contributed to this report.