Georgia Tech ‘took disciplinary measures’ after highly touted freshman’s arrest
Georgia Tech freshman Joshua Petty was arrested Oct. 18 and initially charged with seven felony counts of “unlawful for any person to purchase, possess, or have under his control any controlled substance” and two misdemeanors for speeding and possessing a drug-related object, according to a Georgia state trooper’s affidavit filed to the Oconee County Magistrate Court.
According to an Oct. 27 plea agreement, Petty pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors: one for possession of a drug-related object and one for speeding. The rest of the charges were dismissed.
According to a court document, the 18-year-old was driving 91 mph on Highway 316 near Jimmy Daniel Road in Oconee County, just outside of Athens, when he was pulled over between 9:10-11:19 p.m.
He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of 88 mph in a 65 mph zone.
The documents pertaining to Petty’s arrest were sealed by the court but obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution through a publicly accessible online portal.
“Georgia Tech athletics has been aware of the situation since it occurred and immediately took disciplinary measures in accordance with athletics department policy,” a spokesperson for Tech athletics wrote in an email to the AJC.
Petty’s attorney Kim Stephens told the AJC on Monday, “We were pleased the case was resolved in the matter that it was. Glad we were able to resolve it quickly in a way that was fair and just, based on the facts of the case.”
Petty, a 6-foot-6, 285-pound freshman, “did unlawfully possess with the intent to use a THC pen, an object intended for the purpose of inhaling and introducing THC wax, a controlled substance,” according to the Oconee County warrant.
Under his arrangement, Petty was sentenced to 12 months probation, 40 hours of community service and verification of completion of a risk reduction and defensive driving program.
Earlier on Oct. 18, Petty, an offensive lineman, had played a season-high five offensive snaps during the Yellow Jackets 27-18 win at Duke. He did not play in the team’s Oct. 25 win over Syracuse.
Under his probation, Petty would have to get permission to travel with the team out of the state.
Petty signed with Tech in December and enrolled at Tech in January. A former 247 Sports five-star prospect out of Fellowship Christian Academy who committed to Tech in August of 2024, Petty has played 17 offensive snaps in five games this season.
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