Former OSU Player Sentenced For Drug Charge

COLUMBUS, Ohio—A former Ohio State football player was sentenced Thursday after he pleaded guilty to a drug charge in June.

Former Buckeye offensive lineman Timothy or T.J. Downing pleaded guilty to one count of possession of drugs on June 15.

Downing, 24, played for the Buckeyes from 2003 to 2006.

He was sentenced to one year of community control and 40 hours of community service. He will also undergo drug screens.

Downing was arrested Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, on drug and weapons charges.

Grandview Heights police stopped Downing on West Fifth Avenue and Cambridge Boulevard for dark-tinted windows and having no front license plate.

When an officer approached the car and Downing rolled down the window, police said an officer smelled marijuana and called in backup.

Police told NBC 4 officers found marijuana, cocaine and prescription drugs in Downing’s car.

The vehicle was searched, and officers found a baggie of suspected cocaine. The baggie was sent to the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation for testing.

The substance in the baggie was found to be 1.4 grams of cocaine, according to Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien.

Police also said there was a loaded .40-caliber weapon in his trunk. While Downing does have a conceal-carry permit, police said the gun was improperly stored.

Downing was released from jail after posting a little more than $10,000 bond Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008.

The weapons charge was dismissed, according to court records.

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