Why Travis Hunter's Dad Is Serving Three Years Probation
Travis Hunter Sr., the father of top NFL draft prospect Travis Hunter Jr., is serving three years' probation.
Why? Palm Beach County Court records show that Hunter Sr. was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition and possession of a controlled substance, as well as driving with a cancelled, suspended or revoked license. He was sentenced to three years of probation in Palm Beach County, Florida.
According to USA Today, Hunter has spoken about missing his dad growing up, and Travis Hunter Sr. did not attend the Heisman ceremony, USA Today reported.
"I know you wanted to be here and you can't, but trust me, I got you,' Travis Hunter said to his dad after winning the Heisman, USA Today reported. 'I'm bringing the trophy home. I love you."
The probable cause affidavit filed in court says that an officer observed Hunter Sr. driving without any lights for the tag.
According to that affidavit, he said he didn't have a driver's license. He is a habitual traffic violator. The officer located a small amount of 'suspected marijuana in his right pants pocket and .24 grams of suspected Amphetamines in his small right pants pocket," the court document alleges.
Hunter Sr. was sweating profusely and lay down on the ground behind the vehicle, it says.
In the car, officers found a blunt, an additional small amount of suspected marijuana, and a black pistol inside a backpack behind the driver's seat, according to the documents. The firearm did not have a live round in the chamber. But it did have a loaded magazine inserted in the firearm, the affidavit says.
In addition, a football jersey with the name of 'Travis Hunter' was also located inside the backpack, according to the documents.
Hunter Sr. said that he did not know he was a habitual traffic offender and that the Amphetamines found in his pocket were ecstasy, and the firearm found inside the backpack belonged to someone else, the affidavit said.
He said he had touched the gun about a week before, when he was asked for his DNA, it notes.
Hunter Sr. was given permission to travel to Green Bay, Wisconsin, for the NFL draft by the court, the court records show. He lives in Boynton Beach, Florida.
The court records, obtained by Men's Journal, also say that, although Hunter Sr. was given permission to attend the draft, a lot of conditions were placed on him.
"Defendant, Travis ONealStaley Hunter, is GRANTED PERMISSION to travel to GreenBay, Wisconsin to attend the NFL draft ceremony that is being held on the evening of April 24, 2025, scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. until the first-round selections are completed," the records say.
"Defendant will be allowed to accompany his son to the event and shall return to his pre-approved lodging upon the completion of the first-round selections after his son concludes his appearance at the ceremonial first night. Defendant is permitted to travel departing West Palm Beach on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 and shall return to West Palm Beach on Friday, April 25, 2025," the records continue.
"Other than attending the ceremony the evening of the 24th, Defendant shall otherwise abide by his approved schedule. Defendant shall be current with all special conditions and otherwise be in full compliance with his electronic monitoring and will remain compliant with his electronic monitoring obligations throughout his travel," the records say.
"Defendant may use the hotel facilities on the property but is restricted to the grounds of the hotel while in Green Bay other than attending the ceremony. Defendant is required in advance of departing to finalize his schedule for final approval with his Community Control officer, after providing his full travel itinerary complete with lodging information, location of the draft ceremony and the schedule of events and locations where Defendant will be the evening of April 24th until returning to his lodging."
Although he was sentenced only to a probation term, according to The Palm Beach Post, Hunter's dad was required to spend the first of the three years on home confinement.
The arrest occurred during a 2023 traffic stop, according to The Athletic.
Hunter Sr. was also an athlete. According to USA Today, he "was a football and track star for Boynton Beach High School in Florida in the early 2000s and played in a semipro league in Florida."
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