Uh oh

[Roach]

From today's DMN:

Four UT football players arrested
05/10/2003

By RANA L. CASH / The Dallas Morning News

AUSTIN – Four Texas football players were arrested last week in Madisonville, Texas for suspicion of possession of marijuana, according to officials from the Madison County jail.

Texas backup defensive tackle Larry Dibbles, from Lancaster, was driving his late model Ford Expedition May 1 when he was pulled over by officer Tracy Speights of the Brazos Valley Narcotics Task Force during a traffic stop about 140 miles east of Austin. Less than two ounces of marijuana was found in the vehicle.

Dibbles and three UT passengers – cornerback Edorian McCullough of North Garland, linebacker Aaron Harris from North Mesquite and running back Selvin Young from Houston Jersey Village – were arrested. The four men were released five hours later from the Madison County jail on a $1,500 personal recognizance bond.

According to information from a signed affidavit that Dibbles’ attorney, Houston-based Major Adams provided over the telephone late Friday night, a Texas student not on the football team borrowed Dibbles’ car April 30. The student, whom Adams did not name, thought he was being followed by the police and put the marijuana in the console, Adams said.

Adams said the student returned the car to Dibbles the same night, but did not inform him of the marijuana in the car.

“Larry didn’t know,” Adams said. “He freely gave consent to the search.”

Dibbles, 19, Harris, 19, McCullough, 21, and Young, 19, were completing a class project that required a field trip to the Huntsville State Prison, about 20 miles away from Madisonville. Adams, who said he would provide the affidavit to the Madison County district attorney’s office Monday, said he does not know why Dibbles was pulled over.

“I haven’t looked at the police report,” Adams said. “All of the guys said they weren’t speeding. That’s something we have to look at. This is additional evidence that should help the district attorney make a decision. This is a plus for our side.”

No formal charges have been filed. The case has been turned over to the Madison County criminal district attorney, Bill Bennett. If charged, it would likely be a Class B misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of $2,000 and 180 days in jail.

“We’re disappointed anytime one of our players is accused of wrongdoing,” Texas coach Mack Brown said in a statement released by the university Friday. “We have a great group of guys and we will thoroughly investigate this situation. Following the completion of the legal process, we will do what’s best for the university, young men and team.

“One thing we have really prided ourselves on in our program is our family atmosphere and this will be handled within our family.”

All four players saw playing time last season as freshmen.

Young was Cedric Benson’s primary backup at tailback. Young played in 13 games, rushing for 408 yards and five touchdowns on 85 carries. He also returned 12 kickoffs for 285 yards and five punts from 87 yards.

McCullough was backup cornerback and nickel back for the Longhorns. He shared the team’s Outstanding Defensive Newcomer award after recording 19 tackles, one interception, five pass breakups and a forced fumble in his freshman season.

Harris, The News’ 2001 Defensive Player of the Year and the Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year, was a backup middle linebacker last season and played on special teams. Harris finished his rookie year with 13 tackles and a forced fumble, all on special teams.

Dibbles played in five games as a backup defensive tackle. He recorded five tackles and two tackles for loss and a sack and is vying for increased playing time this season.

[FloridaMustang]

*gasp*! why is this even news? esp. on our board?

[Mustangs35SMU]

Sorry but that made me laugh when I saw the 4 UT players arrested

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The Red And Blue Is Back! Let the Pony Pride Ride On The Hilltop!

[PerunaPunch]

Sounds like a job for SportsLaw. Too bad he's on our side now! Ha!!

[giacfsp]

I'm bet the lawyer these guys have is the same guy who got Cedric Benson when he was "in the wrong place at the wrong time." Surely UT won't have to suffer through their scary opener against New Mexico State without them.

[Roach]

To be fair, it should be pointed out that attorneys now have a signed affadavit from a UT student (not an athlete) saying the marijuana in Dibbles' car was his, not the players'.