Wednesday morning it was found out that Florida State Seminoles redshirt sophomore quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Jameis Winston had been cited for allegedly stealing crab legs from a local supermarket.
Obviously with this involving the most high-profile player in the country, the story has drawn much mainstream attention across the nation.
Given Winston’s status in the game, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference to discuss what happened. Here is what went down, via Brendan Sonnone of the Orlando Sentinel.
LCSO: "Jameis Winston has not been arrested for any crime. he was issued a civil citation, which is a pre-arrest diversion."
— Orlando Sentinel-FSU (@osfsu) April 30, 2014
LCSO responded to call at 10ish last night that someone left without paying for $32 of food. Confirmed that person was Jameis Winston.
— Orlando Sentinel-FSU (@osfsu) April 30, 2014
LCSO went to Winston's residence to speak to him. Said he was cooperative and that he said he left Publix without paying for item.
— Orlando Sentinel-FSU (@osfsu) April 30, 2014
Winston said he forgot to pay. LCSO determined he was eligible for the pre-diversion program, which was agreed to by Publix and Winston.
— Orlando Sentinel-FSU (@osfsu) April 30, 2014
LCSO stresses that this is not a criminal arrest.
— Orlando Sentinel-FSU (@osfsu) April 30, 2014
Confirmed: Winston took crab legs and crayfish.
— Orlando Sentinel-FSU (@osfsu) April 30, 2014
He will likely have 20 hours of community service and possible restitution.
— Orlando Sentinel-FSU (@osfsu) April 30, 2014
It was the Publix on Ocala.
— Orlando Sentinel-FSU (@osfsu) April 30, 2014
There is video of Winston entering and leaving the Publix. Right now, video is not available because the case is pending.
— Orlando Sentinel-FSU (@osfsu) April 30, 2014
All of this resulted in Winston being suspended from the baseball team by head coach Mike Martin and he will be forced to pay a fine as well as perform community service as stated above.
This is the second time in the last year that Winston’s name has been brought up in the news in regards to a legal issue. He was the centerpiece of a sexual assault investigation during the football season last year while on the march toward the Heisman and national championship.