Former Vol QB charged in counterfeit check case claims he was victim of 'Internet scheme'

Hayes Hickman | Knoxville

Show Caption Hide Caption Former UT Vol DJ Sterl the Pearl gives impassioned speech to motivate youth at Save Our Sons Summit Former UT Vol DJ Sterl the Pearl gives impassioned speech to motivate youth at Save Our Sons Summit on Friday, June 29, 2018.

Former University of Tennessee quarterback-turned-DJ Sterling Henton claims he was duped by Internet scammers after being charged with passing a counterfeit check for more than $95,000.

His attorney Wade Davies, says Henton was the innocent victim of "an elaborate Internet scheme."

Henton, 49, deposited the check at the Y-12 Federal Credit Union, 6640 Clinton Highway, on June 13, an arrest warrant states.

The check — written in the amount of $95,140 — appeared to be issued by Coda Ventures LLC, a Nashville-based marketing firm. Coda Ventures co-founder and President Marianne Grogan, told authorities the check was a counterfeit and not from her business, according to the warrant.

Henton admitted to investigators he was aware the check was not for the correct amount when he deposited it, the warrant reads.

Henton is charged with one felony count of criminal simulation. He remains free on bond pending an arraignment Aug. 2.

Davies said his client - now known as Sterl the Pearl, a popular DJ at UT football games, returned from out-of-town business to surrender to local authorities last week after he learned of the arrest warrant against him.

"Once this is cleared up, Mr. Henton intends to use this experience to educate others how to avoid becoming victimized by sophisticated scammers," Davies told the USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee on Friday.

The New Jersey native was a quarterback for the Vols from 1987 to 1990. He started the first six games of the 1989 season, with five consecutive victories, and a loss to Alabama from which his college career never recovered.

Henton later had stints in the Canadian Football League and with various indoor league teams.