The former head coach at Southern Utah State University has paid a $333 fine after pleading guilty to attempted shoplifting while his team was in Moscow earlier this year.

Neil Roberts, 43, entered his guilty plea in writing earlier this month after the misdemeanor petit theft charge was amended to attempted petit theft, City Attorney Mark Moore said.Roberts was cited on Feb. 4 after allegedly taking a $30 necktie from a department store at a Moscow mall. He resigned as the school's head coach four days later.

He had earlier pleaded innocent to the charge, contending he had inadvertently walked out of the store with the tie after buying a shirt and stopping to talk to some local basketball fans.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.