Rollins surrenders; begins 70-day sentence for probation violation - actor Howard Rollins to serve sentence for repeated traffic violations - Brief Article

Jet, June 14, 1993

Actor Howard Rollins, co-star of the TV series "In the Heat of the Night," recently surrendered to authorities to serve a 70-day sentence arising from repeated traffic violations in Conyers, Ga., near the small town where the show is filmed.

A warrant had been issued for probation violation stemming from his failure to appear in court in January on charges of speeding and driving on a suspended license. He was on probation at the time from two dranken driving charges last fall.

District Attorney Cheryl Custer said Rollins sentence could be cut in half with good behavior. Afterward, he will remain on probation and have to perform community service, undergo random drug tests and won't be allowed to drive.

"In the Heat of the Night" producer Herb Adelman said Rollins will be welcomed back after he has worked out his legal problems.

In the upcoming two-hour fall premiere, which O'Connor is directing, Rollins' character has left for law school. O'Connor's character, loses his job as police chief and becomes a county sheriff, and Carl Weathers is brought in to play the new police chief.