DaytonDailyNews.com

COLUMBUS — Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel isn't sure what penalty to give backup quarterback Antonio Henton. He is sure Henton won't make this weekend's trip to Minnesota.

Henton, 20, was arrested at 8:30 p.m. Monday near the OSU campus after offering an undercover police officer $20 for sexual intercourse, according to a police complaint. He was carrying $19 at the time of his arrest.

The redshirt freshman from Fort Valley, Ga., has been suspended indefinitely. Tressel said the OSU athletic department doesn't have standard penalties for misdemeanor arrests.

The Buckeyes had a day off Monday. Henton, who lives in an apartment in Hilliard on the west side of Columbus, was arrested at North High Street 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. Henton's bail was set at $2,500; he pleaded not guilty Tuesday, posted bond of $274 and was released.

The maximum penalty is six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, but a conviction usually 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.

"Antonio Henton has made an error," Tressel said 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)."

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 touchdown 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."

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or at dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.