Created: 2/5/2010 7:45:10 PM 
Darlington, SC (WLTX) - Victor Hampton, one of the top signees this week for the South Carolina Gamecocks on National Signing Day, has been arrested on a charge of underage drinking while at school.
Darlington Police say Hampton was arrested Friday.
Captain Danny Watson with the Darlington Police Department says a school resource officer got a tip Friday morning that a student had a container of alcohol at Darlington High School. The tip said that the student was Hampton, and that he was making mixed drinks.
The officer told administrators about the tip, and the SRO and school officials confronted Hampton. Watson says Hampton did not dispute the claims, and admitted to drinking the alcohol.
The liquor was confiscated, and Hampton was taken into custody by the SRO at about noon, then transported to the Darlington County Detention Center. He was released at about 4:30 p.m. on a $1,500 bond.
If convicted, Hampton could face a fine, a loss of his drivers license, or jail time.
Hampton released a statement through his guardian and attorney, Cheveron Scott. The statement said Hampton used bad judgment, and the player apologized for letting people down.
The full statement follows.
"Since coming to Darlington High School, I have avoided the negatives influences that caused me to leave Butler and Independence High Schools prior to this year. Unfortunately, this morning I allowed poor judgment to cause me to bring alcohol on school grounds and was arrested based on that poor judgment. I deeply regret putting myself in this situation and the ultimate responsibility is mine's and mine's alone.
As a student-athlete, I realize that many young people look up to me and let me say without a doubt that underage drinking is wrong!! I know that I have let so many people down who believed in me from my family to friends to Darlington High School to USC. I have come such a long way since coming here and unfortunately, for a brief moment, I allowed myself to do something like this. I am so sorry that I allowed this to happen but I have faith that I can overcome this and be a better person because of it. I am human and make mistakes but I now know that as I become an adult that such behavior will not and cannot be tolerated. I realize that I cannot never allow anything like this to happen again.
Let me close by saying again how sorry I am for my actions and once this situation is taken care of in the court, I am prepare to move forward and be the positive role model that I should be. I am asking for your prayers during this difficult time and know that everyday I am trying to be a better person in spite of this setback. May God bless all of you and please do not give up on me yet."
Rivals.com, a top recruiting website, listed Hampton as the No. 6 defensive back prospect in the nation, and the No. 3 best prospect in the state of South Carolina this year.
Hampton has had some trouble in the past, leading him to attend four different high schools in the last four years.
