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Robert Easter Jr. awaits sentencing after changing his plea in a prior assault charge.
The former IBF lightweight titlist was found guilty Tuesday in Toledo Municipal Court, shortly after changing his plea from Not Guilty to No Contest. Judge Michelle Wagner accepted the plea before handing down her ruling, finding Easter guilty on one count of simple assault according to court records.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed in the early hours of Saturday, August 7, mere hours after the alleged incident which took place at Bucks Rack City strip club in Toledo, Easter’s hometown.
According to the complaint, Easter allegedly struck “the victim on the left side of her face once with a closed fist, causing the victim to lose consciousness.” The victim was observed by the office with whom the report was filed to have a split lip and a chipped tooth.
A warrant was issued for Easter’s arrest, to which he complied and entered a plea of Not Guilty before being released on his own recognizance. The court ruled in favor of the victim to issue a Temporary Restraining Order against Easter, with the case first sent to trial on August 26.
As evidence was gathered by the prosecution, a new trial date was set for Wednesday. Easter and his legal team—led by Sarah Miller Driftmyer—changed course, instead electing to enter a plea of no contest in lieu of the case proceeding to trial.
Easter was referred to probation by Judge Wagner for pre-sentencing investigation. The next court date is set for November 30, at which time Easter will hear his sentencing which will likely be a fine and probation according to the minimum requirements in Ohio law.
According to court records, Easter is also recommended to undergo anger management training.
Easter (23-1-1, 14KOs) has not fought in the ring since February 20, claiming a ten-round unanimous decision win over Ryan Martin on Showtime from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The fight came on the undercard of longtime friend and training stablemate Adrien Broner who outpointed Jovanie Santiago in the main event.
Tbe feat extended a current three-fight unbeaten streak for Easter since losing his IBF lightweight title to then-unbeaten WBC titlist Mikey Garcia in their July 2018 unification bout. The loss ended a near two-year reign dating back to his September 2016 split decision win over then-undefeated Richard Commey to earn the vacant title.
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox