Chestnut to defend hot dog title while on probatio...
Key takeaways
- Chestnut entered the guilty plea April 20 and was sentenced to 180 days of probation in Hamilton County, Indiana.
- The competitive eating sensation was accused of slapping a man across the face during a late night out at an Indiana bar, according to Us Weekly.
- Chestnut's attorney, Mario Massillamany, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. -- Competitive eater Joey "Jaws" Chestnut, the reigning champion and 17-time winner of Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest, will compete in the July 4 spectacle while on probation after he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge.
Chestnut entered the guilty plea April 20 and was sentenced to 180 days of probation in Hamilton County, Indiana. A judge has granted him permission to travel outside the state, allowing Chestnut to defend his title and the signature Mustard Belt at New York's Coney Island this summer.
The competitive eating sensation was accused of slapping a man across the face during a late night out at an Indiana bar, according to Us Weekly. When law enforcement officials later questioned Chestnut, he said he was drunk and didn't remember the altercation, the publication reported.