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Heisman trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston was cited for shoplifting $32.72 worth of seafood at Publix grocery store in Tallahassee, Fla., on Tuesday night, Leon County Director of Law Enforcement Michael Wood said in a news conference Wednesday.
RELATED: FSU under investigation for Winston rape case handling
Wood said Winston left the supermarket at 800 Ocala Road without paying for crab legs and crawfish shortly before 9 p.m., and when police arrived at his residence after midnight Winston said he "forgot" to pay upon being interviewed.
"He was very cooperative and he seemed fairly honest in that he did not pay for the item," Wood said.
Winston was not arrested but he was issued an adult civil citation. In a statement released through his attorney, Tim Jansen, he said, "I went to the supermarket with the intent to purchase dinner but made a terrible mistake for which I'm taking full responsibility. In a moment of youthful ignorance, I walked out of the store without paying for one of my items.
ANALYSIS: Others would hold Winston accountable
"I realize that I am in the public spotlight and my conduct needs to be above reproach. Over the last year I've learned that my accomplishments on the fields can be a wonderful thing for my school, teammates, friends, and family. At the same time, I must realize that my mistakes are magnified and can bring great embarrassment to all those who support me every day."
Winston has seven days to contact Leon County Sheriff's new civil citation program, District Village, and if he completes the required amount of community service through the program, the citation will not show up on his public record. According Wood, the program requires 20 hours of community service but there may be additional work added.
"I'm not here to vindicate or vilify Jameis. … He left without paying. That warrants a civil citation for petty theft," Wood said.
Wood said Winston met the criteria of the program because he had no prior criminal record. "It's for first-time offenders," Wood said. "There's a list of minor, non-violent non-sexual offenses that qualify."
According to the incident report provided to USA TODAY Sports, the incident was recorded as petty theft/larceny and routed to the department's civil citations coordinator.
As a result of the citation, FSU baseball coach Mike Martin said in a statement he has suspended Winston, a pitcher, from the Seminoles' baseball team.
"I am confident he will complete his community service obligation and the situation will be resolved soon," Martin said in a statement released by Florida State.
Florida State football coach Jimbo Fisher said in the release, "I fully support Coach Martin's decision and will also make sure that Jameis meets all obligations, which I know he will."
Tim Henning, spokesman for the Heisman Trust, said they would have no comment on the matter.
The citation was first reported by Tomahawknation.com early Wednesday morning, but the site did not attribute the report.
Publix said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports that it cooperated in full with the Leon County Sheriffs. "While we are unable to share our loss prevention tactics/techniques for obvious reasons, we can say that our processes and thresholds were fair and consistent," the company said.
"It is our understanding that Mr. Winston has agreed to participate in this program and we have agreed to the terms as called upon by the program."
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...jameis-winston-shoplifting-crab-legs/8508657/
Some hilarious pictures popping up today.
RELATED: FSU under investigation for Winston rape case handling
Wood said Winston left the supermarket at 800 Ocala Road without paying for crab legs and crawfish shortly before 9 p.m., and when police arrived at his residence after midnight Winston said he "forgot" to pay upon being interviewed.
"He was very cooperative and he seemed fairly honest in that he did not pay for the item," Wood said.
Winston was not arrested but he was issued an adult civil citation. In a statement released through his attorney, Tim Jansen, he said, "I went to the supermarket with the intent to purchase dinner but made a terrible mistake for which I'm taking full responsibility. In a moment of youthful ignorance, I walked out of the store without paying for one of my items.
ANALYSIS: Others would hold Winston accountable
"I realize that I am in the public spotlight and my conduct needs to be above reproach. Over the last year I've learned that my accomplishments on the fields can be a wonderful thing for my school, teammates, friends, and family. At the same time, I must realize that my mistakes are magnified and can bring great embarrassment to all those who support me every day."
Winston has seven days to contact Leon County Sheriff's new civil citation program, District Village, and if he completes the required amount of community service through the program, the citation will not show up on his public record. According Wood, the program requires 20 hours of community service but there may be additional work added.
"I'm not here to vindicate or vilify Jameis. … He left without paying. That warrants a civil citation for petty theft," Wood said.
Wood said Winston met the criteria of the program because he had no prior criminal record. "It's for first-time offenders," Wood said. "There's a list of minor, non-violent non-sexual offenses that qualify."
According to the incident report provided to USA TODAY Sports, the incident was recorded as petty theft/larceny and routed to the department's civil citations coordinator.
As a result of the citation, FSU baseball coach Mike Martin said in a statement he has suspended Winston, a pitcher, from the Seminoles' baseball team.
"I am confident he will complete his community service obligation and the situation will be resolved soon," Martin said in a statement released by Florida State.
Florida State football coach Jimbo Fisher said in the release, "I fully support Coach Martin's decision and will also make sure that Jameis meets all obligations, which I know he will."
Tim Henning, spokesman for the Heisman Trust, said they would have no comment on the matter.
The citation was first reported by Tomahawknation.com early Wednesday morning, but the site did not attribute the report.
Publix said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports that it cooperated in full with the Leon County Sheriffs. "While we are unable to share our loss prevention tactics/techniques for obvious reasons, we can say that our processes and thresholds were fair and consistent," the company said.
"It is our understanding that Mr. Winston has agreed to participate in this program and we have agreed to the terms as called upon by the program."
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...jameis-winston-shoplifting-crab-legs/8508657/
Some hilarious pictures popping up today.
