Hopeful of NFL Tryout, Gwaltney Remains Behind Bars

A former North Babylon High School football star remains behind bars and is hopeful to make bail in time to take part in a New York Jets scouting combine early next month.

On Thursday, bail for Jason Gwaltney was set at $75,000, according to a report in Newsday, following his alleged role in a Huntington home invasion in January.

Joseph V. Cozzo, Gwaltney’s attorney, had requested that bail be set at $2,500. During the court hearing, Cozzo told Judge Fernando Camacho that his client was unaware that the four men with him were intending to burglarize the home in question, nor was he aware that the men were armed.

The attorney told Camacho that Gwaltney, 25, is scheduled to take part in the Jets scouting combine on March 2 as he still has hopes of playing in the National Football League.

Gwaltney’s 7,800 rushing yards and 135 touchdowns – 58 more than the next running back – are tops in Long Island history. He starred at North Babylon from 2001-04, where he was a three-time All-Long Island selection and two-time Suffolk player of the year

In January, the North Babylon High School graduate and former West Virginia University running back, was charged along with four others with first-degree burglary, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, according to police.

Also arrested with Gwaltney, who is currently living in Brentwood: Jaquese Jones, 18, of Bay Shore; Nouvelle Lucas, 17, of Wyandanch; Demetrius Edwards, 19, of Wyandanch; and Tahjiea Carpenter, 17, of Huntington.

According to police, three armed men entered a home on Leigh Street in Huntington in the early morning hours of January 22 through an unlocked door at approximately 1:20 a.m. The intruders threatened five residents and demanded cash.

Two others remained outside, waiting in a 2001 Lincoln and acting as lookouts while the burglary look place, cops said. 

The five men fled in the car before being stopped by police on Deer Park Avenue in Dix Hills.

Following Gwaltney’s arrest, Scooter Berry, who plays professional football in Canada, issued a statement about his half-brother’s legal troubles.