Legal Troubles for Former NHL Player Billy Tibbetts

Former NHL player Billy Tibbetts, now 51, is facing ongoing legal issues. He was arrested on Tuesday at a motel in Massachusetts on suspicion of breaking a protective order related to harassment allegations.

A warrant for his arrest was issued by a Massachusetts judge back in early February. Interestingly, Pennsylvania has also been mentioned as a potential extradition location.

Tibbetts was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals and local police at the Red Roof Inn on Route 315. Following his arrest, he was arraigned and released after posting $25,000 bail. His extradition hearing is set for March 25.

Currently residing in Rhode Island, Tibbetts hails from Boston and played in the NHL for four seasons from 2000 to 2003, participating in a total of 82 games.

During his career, he spent 62 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, played nine games for the Flyers in the 2001-02 season, and finished his time in the league with 11 games for the Rangers. Notably, he didn’t manage to score any goals, accumulating just 10 points through two goals and eight assists.

This arrest marks the latest incident in a series of legal troubles for Tibbetts. He pleaded guilty in 1994 to the rape of a 15-year-old girl when he was only 17. The following year, he faced charges for assault and assault with a dangerous weapon.

He reportedly served 39 months in prison due to a probation violation before being released in 1999. In 2007, Tibbetts was arrested again after leading police on a high-speed chase.

According to reports, he had two more arrests in 2019. He spent two months in jail for harassment directed at a Massachusetts police chief. After his release, he faced additional charges related to drug possession, including a small amount of a substance believed to be crack cocaine. This resulted in another year in prison for violating probation.