Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
Edward “Teddy Hart” Annis, 40, was sentenced to ten days’ imprisonment in Richmond County Jail on 9/10 following a court hearing before the Richmond City Circuit Court, Criminal Division in Virgnia, but was arrested again after being incarcerated.
As PWInsider.com has covered, Annis was arrested after being pulled over by authorities in Richmond on 2/12. Annis had been charged with possession of a schedule III narcotic and possession with intent to sell or distribute. During the court hearing on 9/10, it was ruled that there was probable cause in regard to the charges of possession of a schedule III narcotic and possession with intent to sell or distribute. Those charges will move on to a grand jury and should they decide to bring official charges against Annis after evaluating the evidence against him, Hart would stand trial for those charges.
According to Virginia law, Possession of a Schedule III controlled substance is a Class 1 misdemeanor and can be punished with up to 12 months in jail and a fine up to $2,500. Possession of a Schedule III controlled substance by a prisoner (Va. Code §53.1-203(6)) is a Class 5 felony, punished with up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $2,500. According to SwangoLaw.com, narcotics that fall under Schedule III in Virginia include anabolic steroids, ketamine, codeine, and hydrocodone.
In a now-deleted YouTube video featuring a phone conversation between Annis and Manic, who he was in a relationship with, Annis stated that after the 2/9 Ring of Honor Free Enterprise event (which he was visiting at in Baltimore), he left Manic at their hotel in Maryland and drove to Virginia to get marijuana. He stated he was alone as Manic had "hit her head hard" during an angle where she was put through a table on the ROH event. Annis stated he was pulled over due to an ongoing issue with his license plate not matching the registration for his car, something he claimed had been "taken care of." Authorities searched his car and found marijuana and steroids.
In the video, Hart stated he had a "prescription" but did not clarify which he has a prescription for. Steroids would fall under a schedule III description under Virginia law. In a previous video released by Manic, she had referred to steroids in Hart's car as being the reason for his arrest. In the deleted video, Annis claimed that authorities had “already” discovered all was OK with his car and that it will be released back to "his company." Hart stated that he hoped to get the situation cleared up and get back to performing for fans as soon as possible, saying he was born to perform and make others happy.
During the 9/10 hearing, Annis was found guilty of being in possession of a schedule III narcotic. He was also fined $21 in fines and court costs for not carrying or exhibiting his driver’s license or registration. He was also fined $61 for failure to use lights with wipers. Charges of being in possession of marijuana and for improperly mounted license plates were dropped as it was determined there was not sufficient evidence to pursue those charges.
However, court records indicate that Annis’ ten day jail sentence stemmed from a March 4th arrest, where he was taken into custody for violating his house arrest in Virginia. Annis had been staying at an apartment with Virginia-area wrestler Pork Chop Johnson. Johnson stated on social media that he removed Hart for his behavior in the apartment. Hart was also fined $232 in relation to that charge.
Court records also indicate that Hart had been declared a fugitive from justice on 5/4. Record list him as arrested on that charge on 9/11, one day after he had been processed into Richmond City Jail. Hart is scheduled for another hearing on 10/13, facing charges of a felony arrest without a warrant.
Annis had also been arrested on 3/26 following a domestic incident with Manic, who later stated the situation had been blown out of proportion and that she did not wish to press charges. Court records do not reflect anything related to the date, so it appears those charges were indeed dropped.
Hart/Annis was released from his MLW contract in December 2019 after several requests to be cut loose from his deal. He last wrestled in early February at an independent event in Florida, where he had been residing prior to his first arrest in Virginia.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
