By Mark Vester
It has been a whirlwind of a week for undefeated junior middleweight contender James Kirkland. Kirkland was arrested on Sunday in Austin, Texas when his vehicle was pulled over and loaded firearm was found. The fighter is on probabtion that stems from a 2003 armed robbery offense. After being arrested by the Travis County Police Department, he was handed over to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms on Tuesday morning. Kirkland is being held in federal custody.
According to federal court documents, Kirkland is being charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Federal agents were staking out the Saxet Gun Show and saw Kirkland give money to his girlfriend to buy ammunition for a .40-caliber weapon. The ATF allege that Kirkland bought the gun in question the day before at the same gun show for $525, and tried to buy another one on Sunday, but he was turned down by a seller.
ATF agents said that they followed Kirkland's Cadillac, which his girlfriend was driving, and the loaded pistol was found in the center console of the car. Agents also found a letter from his Travis County probation officer that gave Kirkland permission to temporarily leave the state.
According to court documents obtained by The American Statesman , Kirkland is a suspect in another case that involves a firearm. The information in the court documents are coming from Kirkland's probation officer, who told federal agents that she was in the process of revoking Kirkland's probation because the fighter was a suspect in another incident. While most of the details were not provided, the unrelated incident has Kirkland allegedly in possession of a .45-caliber Ruger pistol and throwing it underneath a vehicle - likely to get rid of it.
BoxingConfidential editor Michael Marley was advised by authorities that Kirkland and his girlfriend, Candice Jones, were arraigned in front of a federal judge on Tuesday. The fighter will have a hearing on Friday to go over the probation violation.
“At that time, a decision will made as to his status meaning he can go free on a bond/bail package or will have to remain in custody,” a federal spokeperson told Marley.
Regardless of the outcome on Friday, it's unlikely that Kirkland will be allowed to leave the state for his May 2 bout with Michael Walker on the Pacquiao vs. Hatton undercard.
Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingvester@gmail.com
