Update (4:45 p.m.)– Penn State athletics has released a statement on the matter.
“We are aware of the charges against Theo Johnson. These alleged actions do not reflect the values and standards of our program and will be addressed. We will not comment any further as this is an ongoing legal matter.
Penn State tight end Theo Johnson was charged Wednesday with two misdemeanors after allegedly punching a man in the face at a State College fraternity Feb. 11.
According to an affidavit of probable cause written by State College police and obtained by the Centre Daily Times, Theo J. Johnson, 22, refused to leave a fraternity along East Prospect Avenue.
Police wrote that Johnson had been asked to leave because he wasn’t wearing a required wristband and that video surveillance revealed that Johnson punched the man during the argument.
The blow was severe enough for Mount Nittany Medical Center to diagnose the man with a concussion, and the police wrote that his sunglasses– which cost upwards of $560– were broken due to the fight.
Johnson has been charged with simple assault, a second-class misdemeanor, and criminal mischief, a third-degree misdemeanor. Johnson does not have a defense attorney listed in court documents.
A Windsor, Ontario native, Johnson attended Holy Names Catholic High School, where he was a consensus four-star recruit and the No. 1 overall prospect in Canada in the Class of 2020.
Johnson played in seven games for Penn State in 2020 and 13 in 2021, when he had 19 catches for 213 yards and one touchdown.
Last season, Johnson was part of a solid tight end trio featuring Brenton Strange and Tyler Warren. He ended the year with 328 yards and four touchdowns on 20 receptions and was named to the Mackey Award Watch List.
Coming into this season, Johnson is in line to be Penn State’s No. 1 tight end after Strange declared for the NFL draft. Warren also will return to the tight end room in 2023.
Johnson has a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 24 at 8:30 a.m. which will be held under Magisterial District Judge Donald Hahn’s office.
