Joey Chestnut Receives Probation for Bar Altercation
Joey Chestnut was sentenced to 180 days of probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge in Hamilton County, Indiana, court records show. The 17-time Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest champion admitted to the offense stemming from an incident at Joe's Grill around 2 a.m. on March 21.
According to the officer's affidavit, the victim recognized Chestnut at the bar and approached him. The two exchanged a handshake before Chestnut slapped the man on the left side of his face with an open hand. The victim reacted by holding his head and moving away as Chestnut stood over him.
Chestnut stated he was pretty drunk and did not remember the events. He took full responsibility for the misunderstanding, and his attorney noted that the situation was quickly defused. The slap caused the victim to report pain on the left side of his face, leading to the battery charge.
Chestnut has filed petitions to travel outside Indiana for the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York, on the Fourth of July. The court granted permission, allowing him to compete for his 18th title in his last 19 attempts while on probation.
