Overview
- Chestnut pleaded guilty to a Class B misdemeanor battery charge on April 20 and was sentenced to 180 days of probation for an altercation at an Indiana bar that police say was captured on surveillance.
- Court records and police affidavits say the March 21 incident began after a handshake and show Chestnut pulling the other man forward and striking him with an open hand, while Chestnut told officers he had been intoxicated and did not fully recall the exchange.
- A Hamilton County judge granted Chestnut permission to travel out of state, clearing the way for him to compete at Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island on July 4.
- Major League Eating said the episode occurred outside any organizational event and did not violate its code of conduct, so the league will not bar him from competition.
- Probation conditions reportedly include a ban on buying firearms and random drug and alcohol testing, and the case leaves Chestnut's legal record and public reputation in focus ahead of his title defense and potential endorsement reviews.