By Associated Press - Friday, September 5, 2014

DETROIT (AP) - A son of Detroit Tigers and Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch has pleaded guilty to a drug charge and will serve a year of probation.

Fifty-seven-year-old Ronald Ilitch entered the plea Friday in a Detroit courtroom to a misdemeanor charge of using cocaine. Under an agreement with prosecutors, a felony drug possession charge is being dropped.

He told the court it was “a big wake-up call for me.” He also is required to undergo substance abuse treatment.



Authorities say Ronald Ilitch was driving with a female passenger near a hotel on Detroit’s northwest side on Aug. 27 when police conducted a traffic stop and found cocaine in his possession. Police released the woman at the scene.

The Ilitch family also owns Little Caesars Pizza and the Fox Theatre in Detroit.

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