MMA fighter who gained fame for subduing fan at Lions game faces 15 years in prison
A man made famous by local radio hosts after he subdued an unruly fan at a Lions game in 2009 will serve between three-and-a-half and 15 years in prison.
Richard Bastuba
Courtesy of the WCSO
Richard Bastuba, 41, pleaded no contest to conspiracy to commit second-degree home invasion and receiving and concealing stolen property between $1,000 and $20,000 late last year, according to Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office officials.
Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge David Swartz sentenced Bastuba, a Mixed Martial Arts fighter known as “Righteous Rick,” to prison on Thursday, officials said.
According to deputies, Bastuba was involved in a home invasion reported to the sheriff’s office in September 2011. The man told deputies his house had been broken into several times during the previous months, with valuable comic books being stolen.
A long investigation eventually resulted in Bastuba’s arrest, along with two juveniles. A report from WXYZ indicated Bastuba was arrested at an Ann Arbor Biggby location after he attempted to sell the comic books to undercover deputies.
Bastuba was made famous by WRIF radio personalities Drew and Mike in 2009 after he got involved in a fight at a Detroit Lions game. According to reports, a man grabbed Bastuba’s friend’s hair and Bastuba put him in a chokehold to subdue him. Drew and Mike eventually found a picture of Bastuba putting the man in a chokehold and had him on the air.
Bastuba began fighting in Mixed Martial Arts fights starting with an event at The Palace of Auburn Hills in November 2009.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
youdontknow
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 11:07 p.m.
@MoeProblems...I know a lot about this case. The reason he got so much time is because he involved two juveniles in his crimes. One of which was his own 14 yr old son. He also had about 3 different stories going at once. One for the arresting Detective, one for his attorney and one for his family and friends. He still claims he was set up. Funny thing, when they went into his house with a warrant, they found more of the items that the gentleman had repoted stolen. So, if RR is to be believed, this 75yr old man, who's never been to RR's home and has no clue where he lives just magically happened to teleport his collectable items into Rick's home and then claim he stole them. From someone that knows...if RR's mouth is moving, he's lying!
Goober
Sat, Jan 5, 2013 : 9:45 p.m.
I'm all choked up! :)
Moe Problems
Sat, Jan 5, 2013 : 3:41 p.m.
That sentence is way too big for that. Seriously, our court system is by one of the worst in the world. Ridiculous. And ridiculous how people feel it's justified.
nunya
Sat, Jan 5, 2013 : 5:52 p.m.
Conspiracy to commit murder probably has a lot to do with the sentence. The story does not seem to have any detail on that part. Plus, he plead. Which likely means he was facing far more serious charges and/or several counts. Again, we are not getting the whole story here.
Paul
Sat, Jan 5, 2013 : 5:15 p.m.
Look at Canada, most criminals are out of jail within 5 years-first offense. Crime is lower there also! But then they got things like child income $100 a month for each child to help raise the kid--even for the middle class people. Free health care and easier to get mental health care. Less guns help too. Some people are "monkey see-monkey do", why those mass shoppings happen in streaks. I wish the good of both countries-the USA and Canada could be put together to make a new country. Canada could get Free Speech and better roads, the USA needs far-far more gun control and social programs.
actionjackson
Sat, Jan 5, 2013 : 1:12 p.m.
Comic books? Really. "What are in for?" "Selling comic books to an undercover."
Paul
Sat, Jan 5, 2013 : 6:25 a.m.
sad
djacks24
Fri, Jan 4, 2013 : 10:44 p.m.
From Righteous Rick to Convict Rick. Funny, it fits.
djacks24
Fri, Jan 4, 2013 : 10:38 p.m.
"Bastuba was made famous by WRIF radio personalities Drew and Mike in 2009 after he got involved in a fight at a Detroit Lions game." I'd hardly say Drew and Mike made him "famous". That could be completely taken out of context since as Drew and Mike indorsed him when they actually just put to light what kind of jerk he really is. Can't wait to hear what Drew and Mike have to say about this clown. You could tell even when they had him on the air, that they thought he was a moron. They used to have other callers call in and the other callers just used to try to insult him just to hear his stupid tough-guy comebacks.
Bogie
Fri, Jan 4, 2013 : 10:25 p.m.
Goodbye Ricky! Pathetic.
An Arborigine
Fri, Jan 4, 2013 : 10:18 p.m.
Righteous, Dude.
walker101
Fri, Jan 4, 2013 : 9:52 p.m.
He'll have plenty of practice to perfect those chokehold hold skills during his stay in prison.