MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Former West Virginia football recruit d’Vante Henry received five years’ probation and a suspended prison sentence Monday afternoon, two months after pleading guilty to first-degree sexual abuse.
Monongalia Circuit Court Judge Russell Clawges, Jr. delivered the sentencing, which could have ranged up to five years in prison.
Henry, originally of Moore, Okla., signed with West Virginia in February 2013 as an outside linebacker from Arizona Western Community College, where he attracted offers from Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oregon State, Iowa State and Utah. Though Henry reported to campus that summer, he never practiced with the Mountaineers during fall camp, at which point coach Dana Holgorsen said Henry was dealing with personal issues.
Henry was arrested on charges of second-degree assault after a Sept. 8, 2013, criminal complaint filed with the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department claimed that he entered a woman’s room in the early morning hours and physically forced her to engage in sexual intercourse.
Henry was dismissed from the team and pleaded guilty in February to the lesser charge of first-degree sexual abuse.