'El Wingador' May Be Eating Prison Food For Next 7 Years in N.J.
By Kim Glovas
WOODBURY, N.J. (CBS) -- Onetime competitive eating champion "El Wingador" has been sentenced to seven years in prison for his arrest a year ago on cocaine possession charges.
The five-time champion of the "WIP Wing Bowl," 51-year-old William Simmons of Woodbury Heights admitted to police that he had more than half an ounce of cocaine with him during a drug transaction in June 2012 with an undercover New Jersey state police officer (see previous story).
Simmons' lawyer had argued today for a three-year-term, saying this was a "victimless" crime and that Simmons suffered from heavy financial pressure and self addiction at the time.
Lawyers also argued that Simmons had already suffered a great deal of embarrassment, not only to himself but to his brand and his family.
The judge in the case said she would stick by the original seven-year sentence but Simmons would be able to apply to an intensive supervision program which could shorten his prison term and allow him to work while completing his sentence.