2 Nebraska Football Players Charged with Pot Possession
June 1, 2017
On May 26, it was reported that two University of Nebraska football players were taken into custody by authorities in Florida and charged with possession of marijuana. The two football players were identified as a wide receiver and a safety. Both were released following the incident.
The marijuana was reportedly discovered during a traffic stop. The officer involved said that he could smell the odor of marijuana as soon as he was behind the vehicle. The odor only got stronger as he got closer. During a search of the vehicle, the officer reportedly found a plastic bag containing what appeared to be marijuana in a backpack on the backseat. One of the players told the officer that the marijuana belonged to him and that he had purchased it while he was vacationing in Florida.
Both players were charged with possession of cannabis. The wide receiver’s bond was reportedly set at $3,000 after he was taken to Volsuia County Jail. He was originally charged with felony drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia, though the latter charge was dropped and the felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor.
Florida takes drug charges very seriously, meaning that the consequences for being in possession of marijuana or other drugs can result in a lengthy sentence, probation and other legal consequences. In some cases, a criminal law attorney could argue that the arresting officer illegally searched a vehicle. The attorney may even challenge the original traffic stop if the evidence indicates that the officer did not have the requisite reasonable suspicion to pull the vehicle over in the first place.
Source: Omaha Sports Insider, “Two Husker football players arrested on drug charges in Florida“, Tyler Martin, May 26, 2017