A former University of Michigan cornerback convicted in June of committing three thefts and an attempted robbery was sentenced today to a minimum of 19 months in prison.
Boubacar Cissoko, 22, who was kicked off the team in October, pleaded guilty June 23 to assault with intent to rob while unarmed and three counts of larceny from a person, court records show.
Boubacar Cissoko
Cissoko told Washtenaw County Circuit Judge Archie Brown today he's been through some tough times, but it's no excuse.
"I am very truly sorry for my actions," Cissoko said. "I take full responsibility for my actions."
Cissoko, who appeared at his sentencing in an orange jail jumpsuit with his hands and feet shackled, said all he wanted to do was play football.
"I still have got hope and love for the game," he said.
In pleading guilty in June, Cissoko admitted to stealing money from two food deliverymen in Ann Arbor and grabbing money from a cab driver in Ypsilanti on March 13.
He also admitted to pointing a pellet gun at a cab driver and attempting to rob him in Ann Arbor on April 18, court records show.
Brown sentenced Cissoko to a minimum of 19 months and maximum of 15 years in prison, with credit for 107 days for time served. Brown said he had no objection to Cissoko being placed in a prison boot camp.
"The issue for you is what you make of your life now," Brown said.
Cissoko, a 2007 graduate of Cass Technical High School in Detroit, was dismissed from Michigan’s team after violating unspecified team rules twice in 2009.
He started the first four games as a sophomore during the 2009 season, then missed two games because of his first suspension for violating the rules.
Cissoko saw limited action against Penn State before being kicked off the team.
His grandmother, Victoria Willis of Detroit, who attended the hearing, said "obviously, we're all very upset about it."
"It's so hard to hear him say his regrets in the courtroom," she said. "Hopefully, we can all look forward to better things from him from this point on. This is just not him."
Cissoko's brother-in-law, Mike Willis, 30, of Southfield, said after the sentencing that he was surprised at Cissoko's actions and disappointed.
"Hopefully, he learned a lesson and hopefully things will work out for the best," he said.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and e-mail at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
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