Sammy Sasso, the former Nazareth Area High School and Ohio State wrestler, is seeking to enter a program for first-time offenders that would have his criminal record expunged of his recent gun charges.

Sasso, 25, of Nazareth, was arrested in July on charges alleging he had four handguns without a license and THC vape cartridges in his vehicle when he was pulled over in the borough.

His attorney, Gary Asteak, said Wednesday that Sasso applied for the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, or ARD, in Northampton County Court. Asteak said the county district attorney accepted it. If Sasso is accepted into the program and completes it, his record will be expunged.

Asteak said everything that was found in Sasso’s vehicle was legal, and purchased in Ohio. The car was filled with his possessions, and he was moving back to the Lehigh Valley from Ohio, Asteak said. He had the guns for personal safety, but had not applied for a permit for them in Pennsylvania, he said.

“This was a young a man who always tried to follow the rules,” Asteak said. “This was a big mistake and big misunderstanding on his part.”

Sasso initially was pulled over because of an expired vehicle registration. He has a hearing scheduled for next month in Northampton County Court.

Sasso had joined the Lehigh University wrestling team’s coaching staff in early July. A university spokesperson in late July said he was no longer employed there.

At Nazareth Area High School, he was a two-time PIAA champion, and he went on to wrestle for Ohio State, where he went 106-19 and was a four-time NCAA All-American. Sasso was seriously injured when he was shot during a carjacking two years ago in Columbus, Ohio.

The injuries forced him to sit out that season, but he returned the next season for his final year of eligibility.

Asteak said wrestling is Sasso’s passion, and he hopes to continue his career in wrestling. Sasso remains free after posting $35,000 bail.

https://www.mcall.com/2025/09/24/sammy-sasso-ard-gun-charges-northampton-county/