Reports: Mississippi State boots player following third arrest in a month
Mississippi State freshman receiver John Michael Hankerson has found himself at odds with the law yet again. However, this time appears to have been Hankerson’s third strike for Dan Mullen and his MSU football program.
While he was already suspended from the team following his second arrest, Joel Coleman of Starkville Daily reports Hankerson is no longer a member of the Mississippi State program.
Hankerson was arrested for the first time Dec. 1 after turning himself in to campus police following simple assault charges, Hankerson was again arrested less than a week later for false pretense. This time around, the allegations against Hankerson are much more severe according to Coleman:
Hankerson is on the arrest report for armed robbery, kidnapping and aggravated assault.
— Joel Coleman (@JoelTColeman) December 29, 2016
Also, on John Michael Hankerson who has now had 3 arrests in about a month's time, he's no longer even enrolled at Mississippi State.
— Joel Coleman (@JoelTColeman) December 29, 2016
Hankerson arrested on 5 counts/armed robbery, 3 counts/aggravated assault, 2 kidnapping
— Joel Coleman (@JoelTColeman) December 29, 2016
Was told Hankerson & 2 other unidentified black males robbed an apartment and "pistol whipped" occupants and took items.
— Joel Coleman (@JoelTColeman) December 29, 2016
Coleman’s report was backed up by Mississippi State beat writer Michael Bonner of the Clarion-Ledger :
As @JoelTColeman reported, John Michael Hankerson was arrested yesterday and charged with armed robbery, kidnapping and aggravated assault.
— Michael Bonner (@michaelbbonner) December 29, 2016
Incident took place on Dec. 17 at Campus Trails apt. complex at about 7pm. JMH and two others "pistol whipped" three men and stole "items."
— Michael Bonner (@michaelbbonner) December 29, 2016
The former three-star prospect from South Bend, Ind., signed with MSU as part of its 2016 class. Hankerson did not play in his first year with the Bulldogs and never looks to get that opportunity if these allegations are proven to be true.