Utah State: Linebacker Jake Doughty could face more legal troubles

Utah State linebacker Jake Doughty will avoid jail time on charges he bought alcohol for two underage women.

But because the Aggies defensive standout was already on probation at the time of his arrest in the alcohol case, his legal troubles may not be over.

Doughty, 21, entered a plea in abeyance last month for allegedly buying alcohol for two underage drinkers during a boating trip in southern Utah. If Doughty completes one year of probation, which may include substance abuse treatment, and pays a $750 fine by the end of next year, the misdemeanor charge against him will be dropped.

If Doughty fails to meet these conditions, as laid out in 5th District Court last month, he could be sentenced to up to one year in jail.

But Doughty's legal troubles don't end there.

Doughty entered into a similar agreement with prosecutors in June 2012 that spared him jail time on two misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

If a judge finds that Doughty violated the court orders of his probation, those charges could stay on his record permanently. That would put him at risk for further legal consequences, Washington city prosecutor Jerry Jaeger said.

In the first case, Doughty entered a plea in abeyance in Washington County Justice Court. Because the two cases are in different districts, Doughty also was able to enter a plea in abeyance to the recent charge. But Jaeger said the court plans to review the 2012 case, and his second charge could count against him.

If Doughty's is found to have violated the terms of his plea, Jaeger said, the court may impose more fines, community service or substance-abuse treatment. He added that additional jail time is unlikely.

According to charging documents filed at the time of his March 12, 2013, arrest, Sand Hollow Park rangers pulled over a boat for an inspection, and found a group, including Doughty and two underage females, who had been drinking. Doughty told the rangers he had supplied the alcohol, the documents state.

Doughty appeared in 5th District Court the next day and pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charge. His attorney submitted a written plea of abeyance on June 24.

Kyler Ovard, one of Doughty's attorneys, declined to comment on Doughty's cases.

As a junior, Doughty was a defensive standout for Utah State, finishing the season with a team-high 109 tackles and as an all-WAC first team honoree. Doughty participated in spring practices after his second arrest as an Aggie football player.

Reporters Marissa Lang and Aaron Falk contributed to this story.

kgoon@sltrib.comTwitter: @kylegoon