Ohio State quarterback Henton suspended after arrest for soliciting sex

Antonio Henton, Ohio State's third-team quarterback, was charged with soliciting sex. He has been suspended from the team.

COLUMBUS Antonio Henton, Ohio State's third-team quarterback, has been suspended indefinitely after being arrested on charges of soliciting a prostitute.

Henton, a redshirt freshman, completed a pass in four attempts for 20 yards and also ran for 31 yards on seven carries in the eighth-ranked Buckeyes 58-7 win over Northwestern on Saturday.

Columbus police arrested him at 8:30 p.m. Monday south of campus.

Henton, 20, entered a not guilty plea Tuesday morning in Franklin County Municipal Court to the misdemeanor charge.

Judge Amy Salerno told Henton to consider his visibility in the community and his status as an ambassador for his school.

I, as well as I m sure many fans and graduates of Ohio State University, are very disappointed to see you here today in my courtroom, Salerno told Henton.

Lara Baker, chief prosecutor in the city s attorney s office, said the soliciting charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, but generally results in a small fine.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said Henton has been suspended indefinitely from the team and will not travel to Minnesota for Saturday s game.

What s most disappointing to me is that our guys know deep down what is expected. And when we err in other words, a player, a coach or whomever that s disappointing, Tressel said at a midday media briefing Tuesday.

The coach said he had not yet spoken with Henton.

Henton, 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, is from Fort Valley, Ga. He fought for the starting quarterback job last spring but had less game experience than starter Todd Boeckman and backup Rob Schoenhoft. Henton is in the mold of last year s starter, Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith mobile and able to escape pressure, with a strong arm.

In the Buckeyes 38-6 win over Youngstown State in the season opener, he threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to freshman receiver Taurian Washington.

On the season, Henton is 3-for-6 passing for 57 yards with the one touchdown and no interceptions. He has rushed for 41 yards on nine carries.

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