Ex-Grizzlies player Tony Allen avoids drug conviction with plea deal

POINSETT COUNTY, Ark. (KAIT) - A former Memphis Grizzlies player arrested last November in Poinsett County on a drug charge pleaded guilty last week to a different charge.

On May 27 Anthony “Tony” Allen negotiated a guilty plea to one count of possessing an instrument of crime, a Class A misdemeanor. He had originally been charged with possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance.

According to court documents, Allen was ordered to pay $500 in fines and court costs.

Poinsett County sheriff’s deputies arrested Allen and William Hatton following a Nov. 5, 2025, traffic stop on Interstate 555 near Payneway.

After a deputy reported smelling marijuana, he ordered both men to get out of the vehicle.

When deputies searched the men and their vehicle, they found marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine, court documents said.

Allen and Hatton were initially arrested on suspicion of possession of meth or cocaine less than two grams and possession of marijuana less than four ounces. Hatton was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Hatton is scheduled to have a jury trial July 6-9 with a motion and plea day of June 24.

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