The Steubenville, Ohio volunteer football coach whose house was used for a party where a 16-year-old girl was raped by two football players may go to jail for six months for his connection with Ferguson, Mo. protesters.
It’s a curious connection, but Matt Belardine, who pled guilty to violating his probation after traveling out of state without permission, was arrested in Arizona relating to a protest over the Ferguson grand jury decision. Belardine was reportedly fighting with demonstrators when Scottsdale authorities picked him up.
Belardine, who also admitted to going to a bar and consuming alcohol before the scuffle, was charged with disorderly conduct, according to Dan Tierney, a spokesman for Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.
From the Huffington Post:
Belardine “did not conduct himself as a ‘responsible law abiding citizen’ while in Scottsdale, Arizona,” contrary to conditions of his probation, according to a filing in Jefferson County court this month by the attorney general’s office.
If you recall, the volunteer football coach was one of six people to be charged last year after an investigation into the roles they played in the case of a 16-year-old girl who was raped at Belardine’s house in August 2012. Belardine pled no contest in April to one count of making a false statement and one count of enabling underage drinking.
He originally served 10 days in jail, but his probation violation may land him behind bars for another six months.
Special Judge Patricia Ann Cosgrove suspended a six-month sentence, ordering Belardine to serve 10 days in jail, one year of supervision and 40 hours of community service. She also fined him $1,000.
For violating probation, prosecutors want Belardine to serve the remainder of the six months, minus time already served, Tierney said.
The judge will continue hearing evidence Monday before sentencing Belardine.
Belardine is being held without bond.
SOURCE: Huffington Post | PHOTO CREDIT: Screengrab
