SANDESTIN — Florida cornerback Dijon Johnson is understanding with the Gators whereas going to summer time faculty, following his Could 2 arrest for a number of prices in his hometown Tampa.
Coach Billy Napier stated he hopes Johnson learns from the incident that led native police to cost him with two felonies and two misdemeanors. UF’s coach stated 21-year-old junior has been disciplined because the authorized course of takes its course.
“There’s some classes to be realized, and we’ll preserve it at that,” Napier stated Wednesday morning at SEC Spring Conferences. “Hopefully it will likely be a teachable second not just for him however for the complete crew and for younger folks normally.”
Tampa Police arrested Johnson at 11:20 p.m. close to East Ybor Metropolis and charged him with possession of a firearm throughout fee of a felony, a second-degree felony cost, and possession of a managed substance, a third-degree felony.
He additionally was charged with possession of hashish of lower than 20 grams and resisting an officer with out violence, every a first-degree misdemeanor.
Tampa legal professional Timothy Taylor, who’s representing Johnson, launched a press release following the incident.
“We’re in dialogue with the State Lawyer’s Workplace,” it learn. “We’re longing for all of the pertinent information to return to gentle.”
Johnson didn’t absolutely halt at a cease signal whereas working a grey Dodge Challenger, main police to detain him. An incident report states Johnson turned argumentative and refused to exit the car when requested a number of instances earlier than he ultimately was eliminated and positioned into custody.
Officers additionally had detected a powerful odor of burned marijuana and through a search of the car discovered a again pack with 8 grams of artificial marijuana inside. Positioned contained in the car was a black Glock 19 loaded with 17 rounds within the journal and none within the chamber.
A supply near this system informed the Orlando Sentinel the gun’s presence was unbeknownst to Johnson and belonged to another person.
The incident was a uncommon offseason misstep for Napier’s gamers.
“I believe we’ve established what we count on from the gamers,” he stated. “You signify your loved ones, you signify your establishment as a complete, after which this system normally, and that particular group of gamers as a crew that we’ve labored arduous to create. So over time, we’re hopeful that lots of these items that we speak about stick.”
In Could of 2024, freshman defensive lineman Michai Boireau was arrested on 5 counts — together with a felony cost of evading a police officer — in a visitors incident in Monroe County, Ga.
In response to a report by Steve Reece of the Monroe County (Ga,)/Macon, Boireau was arrested after fleeing Monroe County Deputies in his black BMW at speeds of as much as 150 miles per hour earlier than slamming into one other automotive.
In any other case, Napier’s crew has had no high-profile run-ins with authorized authorities throughout the previous 12 months.
“No person’s good, they usually love soccer and I believe that creates alternatives to show lots by way of be somebody that’s revered, and to be accountable,” Napier stated. “Thus far, so good. I hate it when any of them have points however that’s a part of it whenever you’ve obtained 117 youngsters, early 20s operating round.
“On the whole, you’ve obtained to choose the precise ones, too, that’s a part of it. Recruiting, evaluating, it’s all a part of this system.”
Edgar Thompson will be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com