Former 'American Idol' Semifinalist Jermaine Jones Pleads Guilty in Court

6:23 PM PDT 7/31/2012 by Michele Amabile Angermiller

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Despite his legal troubles, the season 11 outcast plans to start his own record label and launch an acting career.

Nino Munoz / FOX

The saga of American Idol season 11's "Gentle Giant," Jermaine Jones, came to a conclusion in a New Jersey courtroom Tuesday, according to the Gloucester Township Patch.

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Jones, a former American Idol semifinalist, plead guilty to a charge that he gave the false name "Kareem Watkins" to New Jersey officers. The 25-year-old vocalist was disqualified from the show when producers learned of the outstanding warrants, which included multiple charges of giving false names to Gloucester Township police.

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"And what is your real name?" Judge Nicholas Trabosh asked in Gloucester Township Municipal Court on Tuesday morning.

"Jermaine Jones," the singer answered.

Although he faced a maximum six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, Jones was only fined $200, plus $30 in court costs and $125 in related penalties for the November 2011 offense. A second charge of Jones giving a fake name to police in a March 2011 disturbance at the Howard Johnson Express Inn was dismissed. A third charge of driving under a suspended license was not addressed, but Jones' legal team believes that will be thrown out as well.

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Jones was visibly relieved outside court, telling reporters he is happy his troubles are finally behind him.

"I'm glad most of it's taken care of," he said. "And I'm grateful to all my fans who've stuck by me."

Jones just released a new R&B single, "All Around the World," featuring the rapper Free-Stal, on iTunes. He is also starting his own record label and is embracing an acting career. His first project is the independent film The North Star, which is shooting on location in Bucks County, Pa. The film, about an escaped slave who joins the Quaker abolitionist movement, also stars former Philadelphia Eagle Jeremiah Trotter.

Twitter: @Idol_Worship