RFHS athlete acquitted: Rumley suspension up after being cleared in underage drinking case

ROCK FALLS – A Whiteside County judge has cleared a Rock Falls High School athlete of  underage drinking charges.

Tevin Rumley, 18, was arrested Oct. 17 along with fellow football player Humberto “Gordo” Barron, 17, Dylan L. Smith, 19, and Brett A. Rosenow, 18, all of Rock Falls. His bench trial was Wednesday before Associate Judge Michael Albert.

Rumley’s mother, Cledy Rumley, said at the time that her son had not exercised good judgment and should not have been in a situation where alcohol was present, but she insisted he was not drinking and “never should have been arrested.”

Smith, who was also charged with consumption of liquor as a minor, will be tried Feb. 9.

Prosecutors chose to defer Barron’s prosecution because he is a first-time offender.

To be eligible for deferred prosecution, a defendant must agree to certain conditions, such as submitting to drug or alcohol counseling, and must stay out of legal trouble for a designated amount of time, usually 6 months.

Rosenow was not charged.

Rumley, also a star basketball player and considered a Division 1 prospect, was given a 42-day suspension from sports because this was his second violation of the school’s athletic code of conduct. The suspension ends this week.

Barron was given a 21-day suspension.