A former metro-east football star was charged with aggravated battery, a class 3 felony, Thursday by the St. Clair County State's Attorney's Office following an incident at Best Buy in Fairview Heights.

According to police, Hickey D. Thompson, who earned a mention in Sports Illustrated as the star of Althoff Catholic High School's football teams that won back-to-back state championships in 1989 and 1990, allegedly hit a Best Buy employee in the face during an altercation at about 12:45 p.m. Wednesday. The employee was identified in court records as Gary Thompson.

Hickey Thompson's companion, Latoya N. Greenwood, an East St. Louis councilwoman, was issued a ticket for disorderly conduct, a class C misdemeanor. Greenwood works at East St. Louis School District 189.

When police officers arrived on scene, they learned two customers had been asked for a receipt as they approached the store exit with merchandise purchased in the store at a location other than the front checkout lanes. Best Buy store policy requires a loss prevention officer check for receipts near the exit if customers do not pay for merchandise at the front of the store.

The female customer identified by police as Greenwood, 38, of East St. Louis became angry and began to yell obscenities at the 61-year-old Best Buy loss prevention officer who requested their receipt.

According to police, witnesses stated that as Greenwood continued to yell, Hickey Thompson struck the employee in the face with his open hand causing him to fall to the ground.

Both Hickey Thompson and Greenwood were arrested and transported to the Fairview Heights Police Department.

Hickey Thompson is being held in St. Clair County Jail. His bail was set at $20,000. If convicted, he faces two to five years in prison.

Greenwood was given a court date and released from custody. If convicted, she faces up to 30 days in prison and a fine up to $1,500.

Employee Gary Thompson was treated at the scene for minor injuries and declined to be transported to the hospital.

Contact reporter Jamie Forsythe at 239-2562 or jforsythe1@bnd.com.