AHL left winger Garret Ross was healthy scratched by the Rockford IceHogs, the AHL affiliate for the Chicago Blackhawks, for the team’s last two consecutive games.
Now, we may know why.
Reports have surfaced that Ross, who boasts seven goals and 20 points through 59 games with the IceHogs this season, is facing a felony charge under the state of Illinois’ revenge porn statute. He’s being charged with one count of non-consensual distribution of a private sex image.
BREAKING: #Blackhawks prospect & current @goicehogs Garret Ross charged with felony under IL's revenge porn statute pic.twitter.com/hCLpAo4QbU
— Nick. (@nburzych) March 19, 2016
Per Illinois’ revenge porn laws, passed just a few years ago, the “dissemination of non-consensual sex images” is a felony charge in the State of Illinois punishable by “one to three years in prison and up to a $25,000 fine.” The laws were nicknamed the ‘revenge porn’ laws due to the prevalence of former romantic or intimate partners distributing sexual images in the aftermath of a relationship. The laws went into effect in July of 2015.
It’s unknown how long the Blackhawks organization has been aware of the situation. It appears that Ross won’t be seeing ice time any time soon. Ross is in the final year of his current contract and is set to become a restricted free agent.
A status hearing is scheduled for March 28 and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 22, according to court documents.
The post Blackhawks prospect Garret Ross facing felony charge appeared first on Todays SlapShot.