Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Brandon Joiner’s pro football career will have to wait.

Joiner, the former Arkansas State defensive end and recent free agent signee of the Cincinnati Bengals, was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in a 2007 robbery. Joiner was a Texas A&M player at the time when he was charged with aggravated robbery at a College Station, Texas apartment complex.

Jay Granberry, Joiner’s attorney, told the TheEagle.com his client could be out in six to nine months for good behavior. Joiner was able to delay his sentencing as part of a plea deal that allowed him to finish school.

Joiner did serve "sporadic, short stints" in jail as part of his plea agreement. He had been previously sentenced to 10 years probation on one charge, according to KBTX.com.

Yemi Babalola and Joiner, according to court documents cited in TheEagle.com’s report, used duct tape to restrain one of the robbery victims and punched another man in the face upon entering the apartment. Joiner and Babalola left the apartment with “wallets, keys, cellphones and marijuana.”

Babalola has already served his time for the robbery. He was sentenced in 2009 to five years in prison and released December 2011.

Joiner was the Sun Belt Conference defensive player of the year in 2011. He ranked fourth nationally in sacks.