Yeatman to be sentenced on previous misdemeanors

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Notre Dame tight end Will Yeatman (WSBT File Photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Oct 1, 2008 at 3:48 PM EST

Story Updated: Oct 1, 2008 at 6:08 PM EST

SOUTH BEND (AP) — Notre Dame tight end Will Yeatman will be sentenced on previous misdemeanor charges of driving while intoxicated and reckless driving after being cited Sept. 21 as a minor consuming alcohol, the prosecutor's office said Wednesday.

Prosecutors in February agreed to dismiss a criminal recklessness charge against Yeatman after he agreed to plead guilty to drunken driving and reckless driving. Under the agreement, if he had stayed out of trouble for a year, the drunken driving charge would have been dismissed.

Now he faces up to 180 days in jail on those charges, although both the prosecutor's office and Yeatman will be free to make arguments to a judge about the appropriate sentence, said Catherine Wilson, St. Joseph County prosecutor's office spokeswoman. No sentencing date has been set.

The Associated Press left a telephone message seeking comment Wednesday for Yeatman's attorney, Anthony Zappia and for Yeatman on his cell phone.

Notre Dame spokesman Dennis Brown said that when the university receives reports of possible violations of the school's behavior policies "we will act upon it by calling a student to a hearing to gather facts to determine if such a violation occurred."

Brown said he could not comment on individual cases because of federal privacy laws and university policy. Brown said Yeatman's status with the team remains unchanged at this time. Coach Charlie Weis said Tuesday that Yeatman remained in a "holding pattern" until everything surrounding the case is resolved.

Yeatman and Notre Dame center Mike Golic Jr., whose father, Mike Golic, is co-host of "Mike & Mike in the Morning" on ESPN, and women's basketball player Brittany Mallory were among 37 people arrested at a house in South Bend during the early morning hours of Sept. 21, hours after the Irish football team lost at Michigan State.

Police initially said they recommended that Yeatman also be charged with resisting arrest and false informing, but the only charge prosecutors filed against him was the Class C misdemeanor charge of minor consumption, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail.

Those arrested, including Yeatman, have been sent letters offering to allow them to take part in a diversion program.

Those who take part will pay user fees and may be required to perform community service, participate in an alcohol use evaluation, and follow through with any educational program determined to be appropriate after the evaluation, Wilson said.

If they choose not to participate in the diversion program, or fail to respond to the letter sent by the prosecutor's office, the reports will be referred for formal charging.

Yeatman has two catches for 6 yards in three games for the Irish. He is their best blocking tight end.

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