Rick Danko, bassist for the legendary rock group The Band, was found guilty Friday of colluding with his wife to smuggle heroin into Japan but received a suspended sentence and won't go to jail.
Danko was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison by the Chiba District Court, but the sentence was suspended for five years, meaning that he won't serve time if he doesn't commit any crimes in Japan during that period.The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer was released from custody later Friday and was also expected to return home Friday. Originally from Ontario, Danko has lived in New York for many years.
Dankoa, wearing a thick beard and shoulder-length hair, was led into the courtroom handcuffed and flanked by two prison guards.
After reading the verdict, presiding Judge Yasuro Tanaka urged Danko to follow through on a promise he made at his initial court session earlier this month to seek help for his heroin habit.
"I hope very much that you quit drugs, rehabilitate yourself and start playing music again soon," Tanaka said.
"I've been drug-free for three months, so that's a start," Danko said.