Former Tigers Player Chad Curtis Won't Seek New Sentence For Sex Crimes

HASTINGS, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - Former Detroit Tigers player Chad Curtis won't gamble and will stick with a minimum prison sentence of seven years for criminal sexual conduct.

Under new sentencing procedures, he was entitled to return to court for a new sentence. But The Grand Rapids Press says Curtis withdrew the request in a court filing Monday.

It's possible that Barry County Judge Amy McDowell could have ordered a longer punishment now that sentencing guidelines aren't mandatory.

Girls at Lakewood High School, about 50 miles southeast of Grand Rapids, said Curtis touched them inappropriately while he was a volunteer in the weight room. During a probable cause hearing, two teen girls gave their accounts of how the alleged molestation happened.

Curtis denies "doing anything improper," but declined to testify at trial.

The 47-year-old Curtis is eligible for parole in four years. Separately, he and the school district are being sued by the girls.

Curtis played Major League baseball from 1992 through 2001 Along with the Tigers (1995-1996), he played for five other teams including the New York Yankees.

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