By Jake Donovan
February 14, 2022
Source: Boxing Scene
Photo Source: Boxing Scene
Jermall Charlo has a battle ahead that is far more important than any super fight previously within reach.
The unbeaten two-division and reigning WBC middleweight titlist was released from Fort Bend County Jail on Monday, following a modification of the bail bond conditions. Charlo was arrested and booked on February 11 with one count of third-degree felony assault, for which remained in detention over the weekend. A first court date has been set for the case, which stems from an incident which allegedly took place last September 5, over the Labor Day weekend in Fort Bend County according to a copy of police records obtained by BoxingScene.com.
The arrest affidavit alleges that Charlo “did then and there intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly cause bodily injury to (the alleged victim) by punching or grabbing him by his hair. It is further presented in and to said court that at the time of the offense alleged above, (the alleged victim) was a member of the defendant’s family or household.” The matter was investigated and presented before a grand jury, who found enough probable cause for the state to move forward with the case.
Terms of the bail bond—which was set at $10,000—were established on January 18, with a first attempt to issue the arrest warrant on January 26. Charlo was ultimately served on February 11, at which he was booked and officially charged with Assault Causing Bodily Injury of a Family Member after having a previous conviction for family violence, a third-degree county which carries a sentence of 2-10 years in prison if found guilty. The arrest warrant was returned February 14 upon his release from jail.
The alleged incident in question would normally carry a misdemeanor charge for a first-time offender. However, Charlo—who hails from the greater Houston area—is being charged as a repeat offender due to a prior conviction from a 2015 incident in Clark County, Nevada. According to the affidavit “It is further presented in and to said Court that, prior to the commission of the aforesaid offense, the defendant was convicted (in Clark County, Nevada) of an assault involving family violence.”
“[I]t is further presented in and to said Court that, prior to the commission of the aforesaid offense,”
Texas Penal Code § 22.01 (b)(2)(A) states that “an offense under Subsection (a)(1) is a Class A misdemeanor, except that the offense is a felony of the third degree if the offense is committed against… a person whose relationship to or association with the defendant is described by Section 71.0021(b) , 71.003 , or 71.005, Family Code if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has been previously convicted of an offense under this chapter, Chapter 19, or Section 20.03 , 20.04 , 21.11 , or 25.11 against a person whose relationship to or association with the defendant is described by Section 71.0021(b) , 71.003 , or 71.005, Family Code.” Because the alleged incident in question took place during the pandemic, Charlo is subject to enhanced punishment. The arrest affidavit noted that the alleged incident “was committed in an area that was, at the time of the offense, “(1) subject to a declaration of a state of disaster made by… the president of the United States under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; or the governor; or the presiding office of the governing body of a political subdivision… or subject to an emergency evacuation order. The U.S.—including Texas—has remained in a pandemic since March 2020. The distinction in the arrest affidavit subjects Charlo to second-degree charges which doubles the maximum sentence to up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
Such charge also carries a separate fine of up to $10,000, even without jail time served. The crime in question carries a minimum prison sentence of two years whether charged as third- or second-degree, although it includes the possibility of probation under either charge.
According to court records, Charlo is due to report to the 268th Judicial District Court on March 28 for a first appearance. At that time, the boxer will likely be asked to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty, which will determine the next course of action.
Jermall and twin brother Jermell Charlo both fight for Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), who responded to an inquiry but unable to provide much insight given the legal measures. “It’s an open police investigation,” Tim Smith, Vice President of Communications—and 2019 BWAA Marvin Kohn Media Good Guy Award recipient—noted to BoxingScene.com. “We don’t comment on legal matters.”
The latest arrest came less than two weeks after Charlo was fully exonerated on previous robbery charges from an incident last July in San Antonio. A misunderstanding over the boxer’s debit card being initially declined for services rendered led to a dispute which he believed to have been resolved, only to have been issued an arrest warrant three weeks later. Charlo was initially charged with three counts of second-degree felony robbery, though all charges were dropped investigators secured video evidence to back the boxer’s denial of any wrongdoing in the matter.
Charlo (32-0, 22KOs) has been out of the ring since a twelve-round, unanimous decision win over Mexico’s Juan Macias Montiel last Juneteenth (June 19) at Toyota Center in his Houston hometown. The win marked the fourth successful title defense since his reign was upgraded from “interim” to “World” champion in June 2019.
The next fight for the Houston-based boxer has not yet been determined. He was on the short list of potential next opponents for pound-for-pound king and four-division champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (57-1-2, 39KOs), who continues to weigh his options—including a potential fight with WBA light heavyweight titlist Dmitry Bivol (19-0, 11KOs)—for a planned May 7 ring return. Charlo would move up to super middleweight to challenge the reigning undisputed champion if he is chosen as the next opponent, while Alvarez would move up to light heavyweight should he choose Bivol as his next opponent.
If the latter occurs, a contingency plan has yet to be revealed for Charlo. For now, such matters remain secondary as he fights to clear his name in a court of law.
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