Kori Ellis
06-15-2006, 02:16 PM
COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry was charged Wednesday with providing alcohol to three underage females, his fourth arrest in the last seven months.
Henry, 23, surrendered to Kenton County authorities on three misdemeanor counts of unlawful transaction with a minor and posted $2,500 bond. He could get up to a year in jail and a $500 fine on each count if convicted. Henry will be arraigned Thursday, the prosecutor's office said.
Henry was charged June 4 in nearby Clermont County, Ohio, with speeding and drunken driving. He also faces trial Aug. 21 in Orlando, Fla., on a concealed weapon charge involving allegations that he pulled a pistol on a group of revelers in January.
He was previously prosecuted in Kenton County for a December arrest on marijuana charges, pleading guilty in March and avoiding jail time after completing a drug rehabilitation program.
The latest charges grew out of an investigation into an 18-year-old woman's initial claim April 30 that Henry sexually assaulted her at a hotel. Police said she changed her story, and they charged her with a misdemeanor account of filing a false police report.
The woman was one of the females to whom Henry is alleged to have provided alcohol. The others are 15 and 16, authorities said.
Assistant Kenton County Attorney Kenneth Easterling, noting Henry's series of arrests, said authorities are still investigating and could file additional charges against him or others.
"Criminal justice is to impose accountability, to get people to either quit offending the law or rehabilitate them. Obviously, his recidivism is of concern to the Commonwealth," Easterling said.
The Bengals declined comment.
"We just don't feel it's appropriate to comment on these things when they are in a state of just being charges," spokesman Jack Brennan said. "We'll await a resolution."
Coach Marvin Lewis last week expressed concern about Henry's continued problems.
"That bothers me when someone doesn't quite understand social laws," Lewis said. "That bothers me, no question."
Henry, drafted in the third round last year out of West Virginia, is recovering from a knee injury. He emerged last season as the Bengals' No. 3 wide receiver.
A message was left with his attorney, Robert Lotz.
Henry, 23, surrendered to Kenton County authorities on three misdemeanor counts of unlawful transaction with a minor and posted $2,500 bond. He could get up to a year in jail and a $500 fine on each count if convicted. Henry will be arraigned Thursday, the prosecutor's office said.
Henry was charged June 4 in nearby Clermont County, Ohio, with speeding and drunken driving. He also faces trial Aug. 21 in Orlando, Fla., on a concealed weapon charge involving allegations that he pulled a pistol on a group of revelers in January.
He was previously prosecuted in Kenton County for a December arrest on marijuana charges, pleading guilty in March and avoiding jail time after completing a drug rehabilitation program.
The latest charges grew out of an investigation into an 18-year-old woman's initial claim April 30 that Henry sexually assaulted her at a hotel. Police said she changed her story, and they charged her with a misdemeanor account of filing a false police report.
The woman was one of the females to whom Henry is alleged to have provided alcohol. The others are 15 and 16, authorities said.
Assistant Kenton County Attorney Kenneth Easterling, noting Henry's series of arrests, said authorities are still investigating and could file additional charges against him or others.
"Criminal justice is to impose accountability, to get people to either quit offending the law or rehabilitate them. Obviously, his recidivism is of concern to the Commonwealth," Easterling said.
The Bengals declined comment.
"We just don't feel it's appropriate to comment on these things when they are in a state of just being charges," spokesman Jack Brennan said. "We'll await a resolution."
Coach Marvin Lewis last week expressed concern about Henry's continued problems.
"That bothers me when someone doesn't quite understand social laws," Lewis said. "That bothers me, no question."
Henry, drafted in the third round last year out of West Virginia, is recovering from a knee injury. He emerged last season as the Bengals' No. 3 wide receiver.
A message was left with his attorney, Robert Lotz.