Ohio State place-kicker Jonathan Skeete, who is accused of drug trafficking, was released from custody yesterday after he posted $1,000 of the $10,000 bond.
Skeete, an undecided redshirt freshman from Gahanna, was arraigned before Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Julia L. Dorrian yesterday on a warrant for trafficking marijuana.
During the arraignment Skeete was represented by Columbus attorney John Waddy Jr., who asked the court to postpone Skeete’s initial appearance because of heavy media coverage, threatening Skeete’s right to a fair trial.
The prosecution said it did not want Skeete to receive preferential treatment and after a sidebar conference with the attorneys, Dorrian denied Waddy’s request.
Skeete has been assigned a preliminary hearing at 9:30 a.m. on May 20.
Following the arraignment, both Waddy and Skeete’s parents declined to comment.
Skeete was taken into custody at his residence hall on campus by University Police Wednesday morning in connection with a Feb. 11 incident in which police said Skeete sold about half a pound of marijuana to an undercover officer.
Skeete has been charged with a class five felony – the least severe – and if convicted could face up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
According to a press release issued by the university yesterday, OSU football coach Jim Tressel has suspended Skeete indefinitely until the charges are resolved.
Skeete is the 13th football player to be charged with a crime since Tressel became coach in 2001.
The Lantern was unable to obtain comments by Skeete’s neighbors in East Baker Hall.
“Definitely selling drugs in the residence halls or on campus at all is a violation of a code of student conduct,” said Ruth Gerstner, spokeswoman for student affairs. She also said that if a student were convicted of selling drugs on campus, OSU’s Judicial Affairs would determine the appropriate action the university would take.
