It was probably one of the weirdest headlines in New York sports history. Not because of the crime itself, but because of the name. When news broke in 2014 that Knicks point guard Raymond Felton was being hauled into a precinct on felony gun charges, the world met his soon-to-be ex-wife: Ariane Raymondo-Felton.
Yes, her maiden name was Raymondo. She married a guy named Raymond. It’s the kind of detail a sitcom writer would reject for being too "on the nose," yet there it was in the court filings.
But beneath the catchy, rhyming name was a messy, high-stakes divorce that basically imploded Felton’s reputation in the Big Apple overnight. People often ask what happened to her or why things went south so fast. Honestly? It wasn’t just a simple breakup. It was a legal chess match involving a loaded semi-automatic, armor-piercing bullets, and a first-year law student who knew exactly how to use the system.
The 19-Month Marriage That Went Nuclear
Raymond and Ariane tied the knot in July 2012. At the time, Felton was back with the Knicks, signing a three-year, $10 million deal. He was the "stabilizer" after the Jeremy Lin era. Ariane was a Cornell graduate and, eventually, a law student at Fordham University.
By all accounts, they were a New York power couple. But the honeymoon didn't just end—it crashed. By early 2014, they were already living separate lives under the same roof at their Upper West Side apartment.
Why she filed for divorce
Ariane didn’t just cite "irreconcilable differences." She went straight for the jugular. In her divorce filing, she accused Felton of adultery.
✨ Don't miss: Bea Alonzo and Boyfriend Vincent Co: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
- She alleged he was a "serial cheat."
- The court docs claimed he had multiple mistresses throughout their 19-month marriage.
- She used the cheating allegations to try and blow up their prenuptial agreement.
She wasn't just looking for a clean break. She wanted "maintenance"—which is basically the New York legal term for alimony—and she specifically requested that Felton pay for the remaining two years of her law school tuition at Fordham.
The Gun That Changed Everything
Most celebrity divorces stay in the tabloids. This one went to the police station. On a Monday night in February 2014, while the Knicks were playing the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden, Ariane’s lawyer walked into the 20th Precinct.
He wasn't there to talk about alimony. He was carrying a Belgian-made FNH 5.7 x 28mm semi-automatic handgun.
Ariane claimed the gun belonged to Raymond. She told police he kept it stashed in a bag under their bed. More importantly, she alleged that he had brandished the weapon at her during arguments on at least four occasions. The most terrifying claim? That on Valentine’s Day, he pulled the loaded gun and waved it at her during a fight about "domestic stuff."
The police were reportedly stunned. When they checked the weapon, it was loaded with armor-piercing bullets. There was a round in the chamber. It was ready to fire.
🔗 Read more: What Really Happened With Dane Witherspoon: His Life and Passing Explained
A calculated legal move?
Because Ariane was a law student, many people—including Felton’s defense team—wondered if turning in the gun was a tactical move to gain leverage in the divorce. Felton’s lawyers argued he had no interest in contacting her and was essentially being "set up" by an estranged wife looking for a bigger settlement.
Regardless of the motive, the move worked. Felton turned himself in at 12:50 a.m., shortly after his game finished. He was facing years in prison.
Where is Ariane Raymondo-Felton now?
After the dust settled in July 2014, the pair finalized their divorce. Felton avoided jail time by pleading guilty to a reduced charge of attempted criminal possession of a weapon. He paid a $5,000 fine and did 500 hours of community service. He was also traded to the Dallas Mavericks shortly after, which was probably for the best.
Ariane, on the other hand, successfully vanished from the limelight.
She got what she seemingly wanted: the divorce was settled privately. While the exact details of the settlement are sealed, it's widely believed she moved forward with her legal career. She has stayed entirely out of the public eye since 2014. No "Basketball Wives" appearances. No tell-all books.
💡 You might also like: Why Taylor Swift People Mag Covers Actually Define Her Career Eras
The fallout
For Felton, the situation with his ex-wife was a turning point. He went from being a respected veteran to a punchline for a few seasons. For Ariane, it was a masterclass in how to exit a marriage when things turn dangerous or dishonest. She didn't wait for things to get better; she used her legal knowledge to protect herself and secure her future.
Key takeaways from the Felton divorce saga
If you’re looking at this story today, there are a few real-world insights to grab.
- Prenups aren't bulletproof. In New York, if you can prove "fault" like adultery or extreme misconduct, you can sometimes challenge the validity of a premarital agreement.
- The "Silent" Exit. Ariane showed that once the legal battle is over, you don't have to be a "celebrity ex." You can just go back to being a lawyer or a professional.
- Domestic safety is paramount. Whether the gun was "leverage" or a legitimate threat, the presence of an unregistered firearm in a home with a failing marriage is a recipe for disaster.
If you're researching this because of a legal interest or just old-school NBA gossip, the biggest takeaway is how quickly a private domestic issue can become a massive criminal liability. Raymond Felton’s career survived, but he never quite lived down the night his wife turned his own "bad-ass gun" into the precinct.
Check the New York State Unified Court System or local Manhattan Supreme Court records if you're looking for the specific civil filing numbers (often listed under Felton v. Raymondo-Felton). Most of the spicy details are buried in those 2014 archives.
Next Steps for You:
If you're interested in how athletes handle legal crises, you should look into the Plaxico Burress case from 2008. It's the primary legal precedent that Felton's lawyers had to fight against to keep him out of prison, as New York has some of the strictest gun laws in the country. You could also research the Standard of Proof required in New York to overturn a prenup based on adultery, as it's much harder to do than Ariane made it look.