Former UNC Player Charged with Violating Sports Agent Law

A former UNC football player made his first court appearance on felony charges of athlete-agent inducement, on Tuesday.

Former UNC Defensive Back Christopher Jamel Hawkins appeared before District Court Judge Beverly Scarlett through videoconference from the Orange County Jail.

Hawkins was arrested on Monday and charged with violating the state’s sports agent law. Overall, he is facing four charges – two misdemeanors and two class i felonies, which are the least serious felony offenses in North Carolina.

The judge told Hawkins that a conviction could mean three – four months up to 10 – 12 months in the prison.

Hawkins was arrested at the residence of Willie Parker. Although there was no confirmation that is the same Willie Parker who played football at UNC, the two were roommates during their time at Carolina and Hawkins had long self-proclaimed himself Parker’s manager during Parker’s years in the National Football League.

Hawkins faces two counts of trying to induce former Tar Heels Defensive End Robert Quinn to sign a contract with him in 2010, by giving Quinn more than $13,000. Hawkins is also accused of aiding Quinn, who is now with the NFL’s St. Louis Rams, in selling game-used equipment, according to court documents.

Hawkins also is facing charges of intentionally contacting former UNC Defensive Back Jabari Price without being a registered agent and of intentionally failing to register as an athlete agent.

Jeff Niemann, with the District Attorney’s Office, says Hawkins’ criminal record includes felony drug charges in Georgia. Hawkins was convicted in 2012 of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

Hawkins was originally held after his arrest on a $500,000 bond. Judge Scarlett reduced that to $300,000 after some haggling between attorneys. Niemann argued for a stronger bond due to accounts of Hawkins recently making a trip to Florida posing him as a flight risk. The public defender for Hawkins argued he did not have the means to constitute such high bond.

Scarlett put forward stipulations should Hawkins’ bond be posted: he must have a reliable address, phone number, Hawkins is not to leave the state of North Carolina, and he is to immediately contact his probation officer in Georgia.

Hawkins has another court date scheduled for next Monday, May 18.