Florida files criminal complaints against suspended players

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (TNS) — Nine suspended Florida football players likely face third-degree felony charges after sworn complaints were filed against them Monday by the University of Florida Police Department, stemming from its investigation into credit card fraud.

True freshman offensive tackle Kadeem Telfort is facing 30 possible felony charges, while defensive end Jordan Smith is facing five.

The seven other players — wide receiver Antonio Callaway, running back Jordan Scarlett, defensive end Keivonnis Davis, linebacker James Houston, wide receiver Rick Wells, linebacker Ventrell Miller and defensive tackle Richerd Desir-Jones — are all facing two possible third-degree felony charges.

The criminal complaints allege that all nine players committed fraud under $20,000 and used another person’s credit card without consent.

Smith and Telfort are accused of making fraudulent charges to multiple stolen credit card numbers.

Six of the seven other players — Callaway, Scarlett, Davis, Houston, Miller and Desir-Jones — all made a single charge to a stolen credit card number ranging from $500 to $2,000, the complaints allege. Wells attempted to use the card twice, the complaint said.

According to the sworn complaints, the nine players used credit card numbers stolen from 15 different people in different parts of the country. Miller, Callaway, Scarlett, Desir-Jones, Houston and Smith have settled their accounts with the UF Bookstore, according to the complaints.

This season is in jeopardy for all nine players. UF policy bans students from participating in any school activities if they are facing felony charges.

The sworn complaints against the players have been forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office, which will investigate the charges and then determine whether formal charges are brought. The maximum possible sentence is five years in prison and a $5,000 fine per charge. In cases like this, it usually takes several weeks or longer for that process to run its course.

Florida head coach Jim McElwain learned of the felony complaints against his players from members of the media during his weekly news gathering.

“Well, obviously, know this: I really care about those guys,” McElwain said. “We’re going to do right by them. This is the first I’ve heard about it. Obviously, we sit down as a staff, we sit down as an administration. Obviously, the university first and what that is. Yet, at the end of the day, I’ll do everything I can to help these guys.”

McElwain was asked if the felony charges change anything in terms of the players’ possible status.

“You’re darn right,” he said.

The nine players have not participated in any team activities since they were suspended before the start of the season. Seven players were suspended indefinitely Aug. 13. Scarlett and Wells were suspended amid the investigation 17 days later.

Callaway and Scarlett were two of the Gators’ biggest playmakers on offense. The other seven players were backups.