Athletes take plea bargain in theft case

By Mary Georgevich

Two former Santa Clara water polo players entered pleas of no contest, ensuring that they will not serve time in a state prison, according to a spokesperson for the Santa Clara County district attorney.

William Gorin and Thomas Hendrickson initially pleaded not guilty to counts of felony burglary and buying, receiving, concealing or withholding stolen property charges in their arraignments last spring.

They were present for their preliminary setting on Dec. 16 and changed their pleas, said Amy Cornell, a Santa Clara County district attorney spokesperson. They entered into a plea bargain with the court, said Cornell. She said she is not familiar with the details of the agreement, except that they will not be sentenced to time in a state prison.

The maximum sentences the defendants could have received were eight years in a state prison for Hendrickson and seven years in a state prison for Gorin, Cornell said in an e-mail.

The prosecuter offered them a plea bargain in October 2008, which they declined, Cornell said. She said that deal offered Hendrickson three years and four months and Gorin two years in a state prison.

Hendrickson had been charged with three counts of burglary with intent to commit theft and one count of buying, receiving, concealing or withholding stolen property.

Gorin's charges included two counts of burglary with intent to commit theft and one count of buying, receiving, concealing or withholding stolen property.

Hendrickson and Gorin, who were juniors at the time, were arrested in connection with three burglary incidents on the weekend of March 15, 2008, Lt. Mike Sellers, a Santa Clara police spokesperson told The Santa Clara.

Gorin was contacted and refused an interview.

Vice Provost for Student Life Jeanne Rosenberger said the university does not comment on students' judicial records.

Hendrickson's sentencing will take place on March 6, and Gorin's will be on March 20.

Sophie Asmar contributed reporting for this article. Contact Mary Georgevich at (408) 554-4546 or mgeorgevich@scu.edu.