NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (AP) - Joey "Jaws" Chestnut, the renowned competitive eater and 17-time champion of Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest, is set to participate in this year's July 4 competition despite being on probation following a misdemeanor battery plea. The incident, which took place during a night out at an Indiana bar, involved Chestnut allegedly slapping a man in the face. His attorney, Mario Massillamany, confirmed that Chestnut entered a guilty plea on April 20, receiving a sentence of 180 days of probation in Hamilton County.
Chestnut's legal situation has been deemed manageable, as a judge has permitted him to travel beyond state lines. This clearance is pivotal for Chestnut as he aims to defend his title and the coveted Mustard Belt on Coney Island this summer. Massillamany characterized the event as a mere misunderstanding, stating, "Joey understood that he wanted to accept responsibility for his actions, and he did."
During the police questioning, Chestnut claimed to have been intoxicated, expressing that he did not recall the details of the altercation. Massillamany indicated that this statement was taken out of context, asserting that Chestnut was nervous when speaking to officers prior to obtaining legal representation.
The co-founder and president of Major League Eating, Richard Shea, confirmed that the incident did not impede Chestnut's eligibility to compete in the hot dog eating contest. Shea noted, "This incident did not violate Major League Eating's code of conduct, as it occurred outside any organizational event or activity and it was addressed by local authorities."
In the previous year's Nathan's Famous contest, Chestnut reclaimed his title by consuming 70 1/2 hot dogs and buns within a span of 10 minutes. This victory came after he was absent from the 2024 contest, a result of a conflicting sponsorship. At one point, Nathan's had briefly banned him from participating due to signing an endorsement deal with Impossible Foods, a plant-based meat company.
Most recently, Chestnut achieved triumph at the 2026 Ultimate Bologna Showdown held in Tennessee, where he set a new world record by eating 16 pounds of sausage in just 8 minutes. This victory marked his third consecutive win in the event.
Joey Chestnut continues to be a dominant figure in the competitive eating circuit, and his forthcoming appearance in the July 4 contest will be closely watched as he navigates the challenges of his probation status while attempting to defend his prestigious title.
