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Pitt Forward John Hugley Suspended Indefinitely after Felony Charges Filed

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Pitt forward John Hugley has been suspended from the team indefinitely after charged with felony counts of criminal conspiracy and receiving stolen property, according to court documents obtained by Pittsburgh Sports Now.

Hugley was charged on Thursday for two felony counts of criminal conspiracy and one felony count of receiving stolen property, along with a summary offense for driving without a license, in Allegheny County on Thursday.


It was announced on Friday that Hugely has been suspended from the team indefinitely, in a press release attributed to school officials.

“The University of Pittsburgh Athletic Department has no further comment beyond the previous release announcing the indefinite suspension,” a Pitt basketball spokesperson said when asked for additional comment on Hugley’s suspension.

According to a copy of the criminal complaint levied against Hugley that was obtained by Pittsburgh Sports Now, Hugley and an unidentified accomplice stole a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu that had been parked on Coltart Avenue in Oakland near Pitt’s campus on July 19, 2020.

Video evidence obtained by Pittsburgh Police allegedly shows Claire Green, the daughter of the vehicle’s owner, and three other individuals, including Pitt basketball players Noah Collier and Will Jeffress, exit the vehicle where Green said it was parked on Coltart Avenue on the evening on July 18, 2020.

According to the complaint, Green said the individuals attended a party in Collier and Jeffress’ dorm room, along with Hugley, an unidentified friend of Hugley’s and Pitt guard Xavier Johnson.

Green told police she left her purse, with the keys to the car, in a common area and fell asleep. When she woke up the next morning, the car was not where she parked it and she notified the Pittsburgh Police.

Police say they obtained video that shows two black men, later identified by Green as Hugley and his friend, enter the vehicle and drive it away.

The vehicle was recovered by Pittsburgh Police on Aug. 27 and that point, the vehicle had a stolen license plate on it. Using a hit on that plate from a license plate reader, Pittsburgh Police, along with University of Pittsburgh Police, were able to locate video evidence of a black male exiting the car on Aug. 2.

Accord to police, Green once again identified that individual as Hugley, who she claimed to be familiar with. Pittsburgh police detective Paul Roetter also alleged that he was able to identify Hugley from the video.

Green first was able to identify Hugley to police on Nov. 25 and again in additional video evidence on Dec. 30, leading to Hugley being charged on Jan. 14.

The criminal complaint identifies charges of felony criminal conspiracy, felony theft by unlawful taking and felony receiving stolen property for Hugley, though Hugley was charged with two counts of conspiracy and one count of receiving stolen property. His alleged co-conspirator was not identified.

Hugley was also charged with driving without a license, a summary offense.

A preliminary hearing in front of magistrate James J. Hanley Jr. is scheduled for Feb. 18. The felony charges carry a potential total of 17 years in jail, along with fines. Hugley, 19, does not have a prior criminal arrest record in Pennsylvania.

A 6-foot-9 freshman out of Brush High School in Cleveland, Ohio, Hugley played in seven games and made one start so far this season for Pitt. He scored 36 points and grabbed 30 rebounds while averaging 14.9 minutes per game.

Sophomore Abdoul Karim Coulibaly and senior Terrell Brown will likely play increased minutes in place of Hugely. The Panthers will return to the floor on Saturday, when they host Syracuse at Petersen Events Center with a noon tip-off.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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Mtgj
Mtgj
3 years ago

Harrable news. Just harrable

Justin Dietrich
Justin Dietrich
3 years ago

If we’re going to be the new UCONN, can we at least win?

Rick Tilves
3 years ago

What about any charges in Ohio for this criminal ?

Brian
Brian
3 years ago
Reply to  Rick Tilves

Easy there Rick. This is still the US where you’re innocent until proven guilty. Could be absolute BS…no sense in labeling him already.

Smljf
Smljf
3 years ago

So how long till he’s booted off the team?

Clark Martineau
3 years ago

Who leaves their keys in the car in the city? Hugley has no prior record?! Something doesn’t add up here.

Ahsil
Ahsil
3 years ago

She left them in a common area of the dorm. Not in her car

Clark Martineau
Clark Martineau
3 years ago
Reply to  Ahsil

Also stupid.

David Gerlach
David Gerlach
3 years ago

Great Job Mike of digging out the facts

Eli
Eli
3 years ago

Dirtbag move, Johnny.

KenkenfromConnetticut
KenkenfromConnetticut
3 years ago

This is a kid who made a mistake. Im a bit disappointed that you all reported this information. Several years ago when Bookser got drunk went on a high speed chase and crashed we didn’t see this same energy to track down details of the case. The dude got suspended what 2 games?

Not saying what John ALLEGEDLY did was right, just hate to see how quick people are willing to toss away a kid instead of allowing this to be a teachable moment.

Hope some of you don’t have children.

Last edited 3 years ago by KenkenfromConnetticut
Dave
Dave
3 years ago

Much more severe crime in the eyes of the law. Stealing a car from an acquaintance requires more punishment than some teaching.

Alan Saunders
Admin
3 years ago

1) Reporting when players on the teams we cover get arrested is part of covering those teams. We can’t cover the good and not the bad. That would not be journalism. 2) There’s a fairly similar amount of information in the Bookser story, and Bookser was charged with a far lesser crime: https://pittsburghsportsnow.com/2017/05/15/pitts-alex-bookser-arrested/ 3) Reading that story, most of where the comparison falls short in my eyes is that we’re simply doing a much better job at this than we were in 2017. 4) No one should judge someone based on a police allegation. They should let the legal process… Read more »

 
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