Michigan wide receiver Darryl Stonum sentenced to 10 days in jail for violating probation

Stonum

He was pulled over after stopping at a probation office downtown, where he lied to a probation officer, telling him that a female friend had dropped him off in the area. Stonum was charged with the violation because of the ticket and lie, said Stonum's probation officer, Steve Hill.

While Stonum admitted in 15th District Court today that he violated probation, he said he wasn't aware of any infractions on his Texas driver's license that would prohibit him from driving. Judge Charles Pope said Stonum will have to convince the court that he can continue in the sobriety court program.

"Nobody did this to you," Pope said. "You did this to yourself."

Officers led Stonum away and took him to a cell.

Pope said earlier that Stonum has had four alcohol-related encounters with the criminal justice system, which he called "extremely unusual" for someone Stonum's age, putting him among less than one percent of the population.

"The part that's the worst is your deceit about it," Pope said.

"Trust is the easiest thing to lose, and the hardest thing to regain Darryl, and that's the situation you're in."

Pope said the court has no record of Stonum attending any 12-step meetings in the past two weeks, which is required. Pope also said Stonum has "yet to pay a dime" for fines and fees he owes for probation. In addition, he told Stonum that he's not eligible to apply for a driver's license.

When Stonum was sentenced in June to two years probation, it was clear he could spend time behind bars if he violated probation. He received a suspended sentence of 365 days in jail, meaning he could have to serve a portion or all of that sentence if he violated probation.

Michigan coach Brady Hoke said Thursday afternoon that there has been no change in Stonum's status. Stonum, who is from Stafford, Texas, redshirted this season to deal with his legal issues.

"Until we know everything, it hasn’t changed," Hoke said Thursday at a previously scheduled season wrap-up news conference. When asked if he was concerned about Stonum's decision-making, Hoke simply replied, "No."

Stonum was Michigan's second-leading receiver in the 2010 season with 49 catches for 633 yards and four touchdowns.

Stonum is scheduled to return to court Jan. 20.

Lee Higgins is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.