Former NBA Star from Shreveport Asks for Full Pardon

SHREVEPORT, LA – Former NBA basketball star Stromile Swift of Shreveport takes his case before the Louisiana Pardon and Parole Board. Swift was seeking a full pardon for his stalking charge.

What Was Swift Convicted of?

In July 2012 Swift of sentenced to 6 months in jail on a misdemeanor stalking charge. That sentence was suspended and he was placed on probation for 1 year.

Swift told the Board:

A young lady that I was dating was at my home. Some jewelry came up missing. It had very sentimental value. One of the items was a watch. My Mom passed in 2009 and it was part of a gift set. Me and my Mom had matching watches. A pair of earrings also came up missing. The stalking charge came about because I was trying to get these items back. I never got these items back.

Swift admitted to the Board that this incident led to some text messages that he regrets. He adds: “I could never prove she took the items because there were other people in my home at the time.”

Why Swift Is Seeking a Pardon?

He told the board he has been coaching basketball at Word of God Academy in Shreveport for the past 8 years and he has told his players that making one mistake can mess your whole life up. Swift says this incident has caused people to view him in a different way.  He says when his team was playing another Christian school, the opposing side made videos about him being a convicted stalker and put that out on social media. That has had quite an impact.

He says he wants this conviction off of his record so he can move forward.

The Board of Pardon voted unanimously to grant Swift a full pardon with restoration of gun rights.

Swift played college basketball for Louisiana State University (LSU) before being drafted second overall by the Vancouver Grizzlies in the 2000 NBA draft. At 6'10" and 220 lbs, he played the power forward and center positions.

He played in the NBA until 2009.