A year ago D.J. Hunter of Middletown (Ohio) High School had college coaches from Cincinnati, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Wake Forest, West Virginia and many more hoping the talented football and track star would sign a national letter of intent with their school. Today Hunter wishes he could turn back the clock.
Hunter, who is now 19 years of age, was standing in front of a Butler County (Ohio) judge on Thursday learning his future. That future would see a once promising athletic career come to an end.
D.J. Hunter has seen his share of scrapes and in July he plead guilty to felonious assault for shooting a BB gun from a vehicle and striking a 15-year old boy in the face with one of the BB’s striking the victim’s eyelid. Instead of signing a football letter of intent or competing in Ohio’s state track meet Hunter was behind bars. Now Hunter has found someone with the ability to stop him on the football field and on the track.
Judge Andrew Nastoff made it clear Hunter wasn’t going to prison to serve an 8-year prison term, but would instead be given probation under the following guidelines despite a letter from the victim’s family stating he may have served enough punishment.
No sports, not even intramurals sports will be allowed during the five years of probation. A $500.00 fine, 500 hours of community service and 180 days in the Butler County Jail with credit for time served. D.J. Hunter is set to be released before Thanksgiving and within 30 days of his release be a full-time student or under full-time employment. He must also attend counseling for personality and relationship issues.
If Hunter fails to comply with these terms he will be sent to jail to serve a 6-year prison sentence. Judge Nastoff stated during the hearing he felt sports had given Hunter an aura that had turned him into a Frankenstein monster with the belief he was owed certain things.
But Hunter is not done with his legal problems as he’ll next appear in Middletown municipal court to learn his punishment for a misdemeanor assault and unlawful restraint charges that were filed against him at a after-prom party involving an ex-girlfriend.
D.J. Hunter was a big-time hitter on defense and his 10.2 100-yard speed made him a top prospect. Now he’s learned you can’t out hit or run the legal system.