Former standout Middie barred from sports

Dwayne 'Deejay' Hunter Jr. to serve 57 more days in jail, five years community control and community service.

Staff photo by Samantha Grier Dwayne "Deejay" Hunter Jr., former Middletown High School athlete, approaches the stand to receive his sentencing on Thursday, Sept. 17. Hunter was sentenced by Butler County Common Pleas Judge Andrew Nastoff to 180 days in jail and five years of community control for shooting a 15-year-old boy twice in the face with a BB gun in January of this year.

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By Richard Wilson, Staff Writer Updated 3:37 AM Friday, September 18, 2009

A former Middletown High School standout athlete won’t be able to play team sports for the next five years, and if he violates the conditions of his release, he will have to serve a six-year prison term.

Dwayne “Deejay” Hunter Jr., 19, was sentenced Thursday, Sept. 17, to 180 days in jail, but with 123 days credit, he should be released around Thanksgiving. He also was sentenced to five years of community control and 500 hours of community service by Butler County Common Pleas Judge Andrew Nastoff.

Hunter pleaded guilty in July to felonious assault for shooting a 15-year-old boy twice in the face with a BB gun in January. He faced a maximum eight years in prison.

Prior to sentencing, several people spoke on Hunter’s behalf, and Hunter read from a prepared statement. “I never meant any harm ... I stand before you all, hoping and praying that you give me another chance to make things right,” he said.

Hunter, who lost an NCAA Division I football scholarship opportunity because of his legal troubles, also will not be allowed to participate in sports during his probation, unless it’s coaching as a volunteer for Special Olympics or youth programs.

“We’re going to see who Dwayne Hunter the person is, not the star athlete,” said Nastoff, who told Hunter that his status as a star athlete prevented him from maturing and gave him a sense of entitlement.

Nastoff also read a letter to Hunter from the parents of the victim who requested leniency in sentencing him.

Family friend Pat Herndon said she was thankful for the judge’s lenient sentence.

“This won’t stop what he’s going to do. That football will be in his hands again,” Herndon said.

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