Da'Quan Bowers will appear in court on April 25, according to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune. He will face two charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. Those charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 3.5 years, although it's likely that Bowers will strike a plea deal for significantly lower sanctions. See this article for more on the legal consequences of his arrest. With the plea deal scheduled for the last week of April, the Buccaneers will only know Bowers' future if he agrees to a plea deal before the court date.

Meanwhile, we're getting a few more details. It appears that Bowers didn't realize the gun was in his bag until he wanted to return home. When he did realize it, he wanted to check the bag with the gun, but didn't realize that that was a felony in New York. All of that per Stephen Holder.

Biggest of them is that he appears to have unwittingly traveled to NYC with the gun in a checked bag. Apparently raised no red flags in NC

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) February 19, 2013

Discovered the gun in NYC during weekend trip and went to counter to make them aware. Likely wanted to check it in bag for return trip

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) February 19, 2013

Also, I'm told Bowers' gun is registered to him, though not clear in what state. I am assumed as much, but just sayin.

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) February 19, 2013

None of this makes his legal situation any better, but it does at least make this situation a little more understandable.

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