KSU football players plead to burglary

Shannen Von Alt

Three men, including two current Kent State football players, pleaded guilty to burglary, a fourth-degree felony, Monday.

Current players Cobrani Mixon and Brian Lainhart, as well as former player Christen Haywood, accepted plea bargains. The original charge of aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony, was dropped for the fourth-degree charge.

The players must also each pay one-third of the damage fees. The sentencing will be up to the court. The charge carries up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine plus court costs.

The charges stem from an incident in Brimfield when the players allegedly kicked the door in at a party and assaulted a person there.

The players already received punishments from the Kent State athletic department.

At the hearing, prosecuting attorney Stephen Michniak said he would not be opposed to probation for Lainhart, as he had no part in the assault. The court can still choose to give Lainhart a prison sentence.

The players will go through a pre-sentencing investigation before the court sentences them at a later date. The players will also continue their bond.

Contact police and courts reporter Shannon Von Alt at [email protected].