DaytonDailyNews.com

COLUMBUS — Ohio State backup quarterback Antonio Henton pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of soliciting for prostitution in Franklin County Municipal Court today.

Henton, 20, was arrested at 8:27 p.m. Monday on High Street near the OSU campus after offering an undercover Columbus police officer $20 for intercourse, according to a police complaint. He was carrying just $19 at the time of his arrest.

The redshirt freshman from Fort Valley, Ga., has been suspended indefinitely by OSU coach Jim Tressel and won't travel with the team to Saturday's game at Minnesota.

"Antonio Henton has made an error," Tressel said at his weekly luncheon Tuesday. "I haven't had a chance to talk to him yet. Obviously, we're disappointed, to say the least. First and foremost, we have to make sure Antonio is well cared for. And there are privileges and responsibilities (that will be addressed)."

After a flurry of police incidents in 2004 and '05, the OSU football team has had only one arrest in the previous two years. Tackle Alex Boone was cited for DUI in April of 2006.

Asked if he thought his team was making progress in that area, Tressel said, "I think any time you're doing what ought to be done, you feel that's progress. The moment you don't, you feel you've regressed. We don't like to regress."

The Buckeyes had a day off Monday. Henton, who lives in an apartment in Hilliard on the east side of Columbus, was arrested at North High and East 6th Avenue, a retail area with a Kroger store on the corner.

Lara Baker, the chief prosecutor for the City of Columbus, called Henton's offense "a garden-variety soliciting of a police officer. They've been trying to clean up that area. They've been having a problem with that issue."

An initial charge of soliciting for prostitution against Henton was dropped because the officer failed to sign the complaint. It was refiled Tuesday, and Henton posted bond of $274 and was released.

The maximum penalty is six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, but it generally results in a small fine. A new judge will be assigned to Henton's case today, and another court date will be set after that.

Angel Williams of Columbus posted the bond for Henton. Asked by phone if she would speak about the player, Williams said "no, thanks" and hung up.

Henton's teammates expressed shock over the incident.

"He has great character, and he's a great person," quarterback Todd Boeckman said. "I can't really see him doing something like this. Hopefully, we'll go through this, and it won't be as bad as it seems."

Henton, a third-stringer, is 3-for-6 passing for 57 yards and one TD this season. He's fourth on the team in rushing with 41 yards.

Tressel said he'll try to minimize the distraction.

"I think when guys care about each other, which our guys genuinely do, it can't help but affect them," Tressel said. "It affected me as I continued to watch film (Monday) night. But you've got to make sure you let it affect you as little as possible, like any other adversity you face."

Tressel said the OSU athletic department doesn't have standard penalties for misdemeanor arrests and that any punishment likely will be left up to the football team.

A Notre Dame player, junior defensive tackle Derrell Hand, was arrested for soliciting a prostitute in August and was given a three-game suspension.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or at dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.