Second man sentenced to prison in attack on Oakland Raiders’ Javon Walker
July 14, 2010 - 10:00 am
One of two men accused of robbing and accosting former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker in 2008 was sentenced Wednesday to three- to eight- years in prison.
Arfat Fadel, 32, struck a deal with prosecutors days before the two were to stand trial in April. He agreed to testify against co-defendant Deshawn Thomas.
As part of the deal, Fadel pleaded guilty to robbery, second-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to commit robbery.
Prosecutors recommended a three- to eight-year sentence to District Judge Douglas Smith because Fadel took responsibility and cooperated with authorities.
Smith gave Fadel credit for 750 days served in jail, meaning he could be eligible for parole in less than a year.
Authorities said Thomas masterminded the June 2008 robbery after spotting a drunken Walker at the Hard Rock Hotel, following him to the Bellagio, and then robbing him.
Fadel testified against Thomas, fingering him as the man who struck Walker and robbed him of more than $100,000 in jewelry, cash and casino chips.
Last week, Smith sentenced Thomas to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Thomas was convicted of six felonies, including first-degree kidnapping, robbery and battery, after a two-week trial that also featured testimony from Walker.
Walker was found unconscious with facial injuries and a concussion in a driveway near Koval Lane and Winnick Avenue.
Walker was robbed of at least $3,000 in cash, $4,000 in casino chips and $100,000 in jewelry, including a diamond-studded chain and watch and a pair of 2-carat diamond earrings, according to testimony.
Evidence presented at the trial included overwhelming amounts of casino security video footage showing Thomas and Fadel following Walker before the robbery.
Walker testified that he showed "poor judgment" and got into an SUV with Thomas and Fadel -- despite not knowing them -- because he believed they were going to take him to meet with his friends at a nightclub across the street from the Bellagio.
Hours after the assault, a blood-alcohol test showed Walker's results were nearly four times the legal limit for driving.
The robbery occurred while Walker was visiting Las Vegas after signing a six-year, $55 million contract with the Raiders.
Walker, who also has played for the Green Bay Packers and the Denver Broncos, was released by the Raiders in March after two seasons with the team. He currently is an unsigned free agent.