Student athletes accused of felony

Kevin Gareau

Two Kent State women’s basketball players turned themselves in to Kent State Police Tuesday on charges of receiving stolen property.

Warrants for their arrests had previously been issued.

According to court documents, sophomore guard Jamilah C. Humes, 19, and junior guard Chytearra J. Kintchen, 20, were accused of receiving a stolen debit card.

The two were arrested at the police department and released on $5,000 personal recognizance bonds.

According to police, the women received the debit card in early July.

They will be arraigned in Kent Municipal Court Friday morning. Receiving stolen property is a fifth degree felony.

Director of Athletics Laing Kennedy said disciplinary actions will not immediately be imposed on Humes and Kintchen.

“Women’s basketball is not currently in season, so it’s not like we immediately have to suspend them,” Kennedy said. “There will be consequences, but we’re going to let the legal system take its course.”

Kennedy added that if this had happened in the regular season, Humes and Kintchen would have immediately been suspended until the case was resolved.

He added these troubles are out of character for the women’s basketball program.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Lindsey and how he runs his team,” Kennedy said.

According to the Athletic Department’s Web site, Humes was named to the Mid-American Conference All-Freshman Team last season. She averaged 8.9 points, 3.2 assists and 2.6 rebounds a game.

Kintchen is a transfer student from Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Mo. She was named Region XVI Player of the Year and averaged 17.6 points and 4.6 assists per game.

Kennedy said the Athletic Department continues to stand behind Humes and Kintchen.

“We hope everything works out for them,” Kennedy said. “We support them and we hope they move past any bad decision they may have made.”

Contact safety reporter Kevin Gareau at [email protected].