HILLSBOROUGH — A former Tar Heel appeared in an Orange County Court room Tuesday for violating the state's sports agent law.
Christopher Hawkins, 32, is charged with breaking the state's sports agent laws.
According to search warrants, he gave former player Robert Quinn over $13,000 to sign a contract with him to get an agent. He is also accused of helping to sell game-used equipment, totaling over $1,000.
He is also charged with pretending to be an agent and reaching out to former player Jabari Price. On Hawkins' Instagram account, he asked Price about representation because the thought the season was over.
Hawkins is charged with two felonies of illegally providing gifts, and two misdemeanors for failing to register as an official sports agent in North Carolina.
A judge says he could consecutively face up to a year behind bars. Hawkins joins five other who are already facing similar charges related to trying illegally woo UNC athletes.
Hawkins appeared via video at the Orange County Court on Tuesday. A judge set a secured bond at $300,000 because of his prior drug convictions, probation violations, not having a stable home address, and being deemed a flight risk.
Shortly after his appearance, UNC officials released this statement:
“Jabari Price, while a member of the University of North Carolina football team, participated in the University’s Agent and Advisor Program, which provides important information and established protocols about appropriate contact with agents, advisors and representatives. This program has been offered by the Department of Athletics since 2013. An individual contacted Mr. Price in the fall of 2013 and he immediately reported this contact to the Department of Athletics. The Department promptly alerted the Secretary of State’s office and it continues to support state authorities on the matter. We thank Mr. Price for providing information about potential violations of our policies."
"Robert Quinn was a member of the UNC football team from 2008-2010. He was declared permanently ineligible by the NCAA in 2010 and was formally disassociated from the University in November 2013.”