Charges dropped against cigar-smoking, face-spitting University of Virginia student

[JohnS]

We've all been there. You know, smoking away on our cigar at an establishment or public place somewhere and someone asks you to either put it out or move somewhere else. Well, there's ways of handling that, I suppose. The method cited below is not one of them! 😂

Charges dropped against cigar-smoking, face-spitting UVa student

The UVa student who allegedly spat blood and spittle at a bar manager after he refused to stop smoking a cigar indoors has had all charges against him dropped.

Hawes Spencer - Sep 3, 2025 

The University of Virginia student whose insistence on smoking a cigar inside a bar on the UVa-adjacent Corner led to a contretemps that included allegations of bloody spit, eluding an officer and a skyward hurl of identification cards became a free man Tuesday.

Alexander Scott Hogge, 21, saw his two remaining criminal charges dismissed as part of a court-approved deal.

“My understanding is that Mr. Hogge has complied with the terms,” said Charlottesville Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Will Tanner as he made a motion to dismiss the charges.

Accompanied by his parents and dressed in a dark suit, Hogge was not asked to speak during the hearing in Charlottesville General District Court. And neither of the two police officers who participated in his arrest participated. Nor did the bar manager who allegedly bore the brunt of Hogge’s ire.

Hogge

After his ejection for smoking a cigar on Nov. 3, according to an officer, Hogge allegedly threw a punch at the manager of Trinity, a University Avenue bar popular with college students. An officer alleged that Hogge then spat directly in the manager’s face, spittle that bore blood from an injury Hogge incurred during his ejection. Shortly before the arrest, Hogge tossed all his identification cards, including an allegedly fake ID, the officer alleged.

After the incident, Hogge entered into an agreement that promptly dismissed drunk-in-public and fake ID charges. He had to perform 24 hours of community service, report for substance testing or counseling overseen by a nonprofit group called Offender Aid and Restoration, and remain on good behavior during the six-month deferral period.

Hogge’s lawyer, Jessica Phillips, has had recent success in getting charges dropped for other allegedly substance-saddled clients, including former Dave Matthews Band member Boyd Tinsley. The violinist had been accused of driving drugged and causing a crash, but Phillips came out of Albemarle County General District Court last week with all charges dropped for the musician.

In court Tuesday, Judge Matthew Quatrara was presiding in place of the usual judge in the Charlottesville courtroom when the prosecution made the motion to dismiss the two remaining charges against Hogge: fleeing from law enforcement and assault and battery.

Trinity on the Corner is a popular watering hole across the street from University of Virginia Grounds. TRINITY ON THE CORNER

At an earlier hearing, Tanner revealed that the Trinity manager approved the charge-dropping deal. On Tuesday, Tanner said his office would not oppose expunging the case from the public record.

Quatrara advised Hogge to stay away from Trinity and from the bouncer into whose face he spat.

“As retired Judge Bob Downer used to say,” said Quatrara, “’You only get one bite at this apple,’ so don’t find yourself in a circumstance like this again.”

Source: https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/crime-courts/article_a4be897d-8b36-4590-bd1b-b11e5ad0171c.html

[Ford2112]

Seems like a nice bloke.

[qs210]

How long before he does something similar...

[tbelle7]

Likely a Siglo VI. Didn't want to waste it. Probably.