In Kentucky, Henry does go to jail; suspension possible

This is from reporter William Croyle in our Northern Kentucky newsroom:

COVINGTON - Chris Henry is in Kenton County jail today and will be there until Saturday. The Bengals wide receiver pleaded guilty this morning in Kenton County District Court to permitting possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, a class B misdemeanor. That was amended down from the three charges he was originally facing of unlawful transaction with a minor in the third degree, class A misdemeanors.

(Bengals coach Marvin Lewis released this statement today regarding Henry's sentence: "It's good that this case has been resolved. Now Chris must continue to strive to mature and grow both as a player and a person."

Henry's alcohol-related conviction is expected to bring a mandatory four-game suspension under the NFL's substance abuse policy. Henry's first offense under the policy was pleading guilty in Kenton District Court to marijuana possession, the first polic violation which brought mandatory counseling/treatement. A second violation causes a four-game suspension. The Enquirer is seeking clarification from the NFL office about whether the conviction constitutes a violation because alcohol was involved, even though Henry was not convicted for possibly consuming it.

The Bengals referred questions about a possible league-mandated suspension to NFL officials.)

Henry received the maximum sentence of 90 days in jail with 88 days suspended.

However, Judge Douglas Grothaus imposed conditions on Henry in order for those 88 days to remain suspended. Henry must:

-- Pay a $250 fine plus court costs.

-- Have no criminal activity for two years.

-- Not consume alcohol or drugs for two years.

-- Report to the Kentucky Alternative Program for drug and alcohol assessment.

-- Give two speeches – one at Two Rivers Middle School and one to Holmes High School athletes – on the dangers of drugs and alcohol and how they have negatively affected his career.

If Henry violates any of those orders, he will have to serve the 88 suspended days.

Henry was charged with giving alcohol to three underage females April 29 of last year.