UPDATE III: Georgia TB Isaiah Crowell dismissed after weapons arrest
Georgia tailback Isaiah Crowell, who rushed for 850 yards as a freshman last season, was expected to start for the Bulldogs this fall. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
UPDATED: CROWELL DISMISSED FROM TEAM
ATHENS – Georgia tailback Isaiah Crowell has been dismissed from the team following his arrest early Friday morning on three weapons charges.
Georgia coach Mark Richt made the announcement in short news release sent out by UGA Sports Communications at 5 p.m. on Friday.
“We have a dedicated and committed group of men who are working hard to prepare for the coming season,” Richt said. “Our total focus will be directed toward the team and this effort.”
Crowell, a sophomore from Columbus, was booked at 3:37 a.m. on charges of possessing a concealed weapon, having a weapon in a school zone and having an altered ID mark on that weapon. His bond, originally set at $7,500, was raised to $9,500 late Friday morning. According to booking records, Crowell was released early Friday afternoon.
According to the police report, four other Georgia football players were also in Crowell’s vehicle, including three 2012 freshman signees. Those persons were outside linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons, wide receiver Blake Tibbs and defensive back Sheldon Dawson. Also present was sophomore defensive back Quintavius Harrow. None of the four were charged.
According to Athens-Clarke police spokesperson Hilda Sorrow, Crowell was arrested at a “vehicle check-point” — or road block — on East Campus Road at Green Street at 2:20 a.m. Friday. Officer Kathryn Thornton reported smelling the odor of marijuana in Crowell’s silver four-door 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis. Crowell gave consent to search the vehicle, himself and four other occupants. No marijuana was discovered but a black 9-mm Luger handgun with an altered serial number was found under the driver’s seat. Crowell was immediately arrested and taken to jail.
According to the police report, Crowell denied knowing the gun was in the car and said people drive the vehicle. He. The owner of the vehicle is listed as Crowell’s mother Debbie. The report also indicted that the five were coming from the nightclub Aftermath, where Crowell said the smell of marijuana originated.
The police report also indicated that Crowell has no criminal history.
Crowell’s mother, Debbie, was clearly distressed when reached by telephone Friday. “I don’t want to talk to a reporter right now,” she said. “”If I want to talk to anybody it’s God.”
Crowell, who came to UGA in 2011 as the No. 1-rated running back prospect in America, was slated to start for the Bulldogs at tailback this season. He rushed for 850 yards and 5 touchdowns as a freshman despite missing playing time due to suspensions and injuries. He was benched for the first quarter of the Vanderbilt game on Oct. 15 as a punishment for an undisclosed disciplinary infraction and he was suspended for the Nov. 5 New Mexico State game, reportedly for failing a drug test.
With Crowell out of the fold, Georgia will turn to redshirt sophomore Ken Malcome and senior Richard Samuel to carry the load early on, along with junior Brandon Harton. The Bulldogs also signed Keith Marshall of Raleigh, N.C. — the top running back prospect in the country, according to 247Sports.com — and four-star prospect Todd Gurley of Tarboro, N.C., to play running back. Marshall enrolled in January.
Marshall and other running backs were offering support for Crowell via Twitter.
“Pray for Isaiah & that he will learn from his mistake,” wrote Marshall from @Truthh4.
Derrick Henry, a highly-touted running back prospect from Florida who once was committed to Georgia, also weighed in via his Twitter account, @KingHenry_2: “Pray for Crowell instead [of] bashing him . . . because everyone wasn’t raised the same. . . . So everyone should just pray he sees a better way”
More information to come when it’s available.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,565 comments Add your comment
Jerry Sandusky
June 29th, 2012
3:25 pm
I am looking for a cellmate.
DIT
June 29th, 2012
3:25 pm
Twinkie…. OK, but why do you go after Coach Richt like you do. Christian means “Christ like.” Are you saying that by Richt showing forgiveness like Christ, Christ was wrong? Has Richt not gotten rid of the players that deserved it? Trust me my friend IC will be off the team by Richt.
I dropped my fried twinkie
June 29th, 2012
3:26 pm
DIT…………..raised Christian and Military High School & College.
At some point the HAMMER of GOD comes down. The Richt playing MOMMY has to give way to a DAD busting that butt.
maybe 5:45 inspection of Dorm Rooms and Roll Call at 6:15 then marching to the Chow Hall or Weight Lifting is called for.
FEDERAL OFFENSE
June 29th, 2012
3:27 pm
If the gun was manufactured outside of Georgia and then brought here this could be a federal offense with a five year prison sentence in federal prison for whoever is eventually convicted for the possession of the gun.
Mark Richt
June 29th, 2012
3:27 pm
kiss my ass
The Bear
June 29th, 2012
3:27 pm
@jdawgs you are completely wrong. You might want to check the Brady bill and the new statues for carry permits. Just saying.
FEDERAL OFFENSE
June 29th, 2012
3:29 pm
or to possess or receive any firearm which has had the importer’s or manufacturer’s serial
number removed, obliterated, or altered and has, at any time, been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.
Legal Aid
June 29th, 2012
3:30 pm
He needs to hire Jim Donnan’s Attorney.
Fast and Furious
June 29th, 2012
3:30 pm
Eric Holder is responsible
Dateless in Athens
June 29th, 2012
3:31 pm
Sad situation when a star bro in Athens cannot get some white tail
DIT
June 29th, 2012
3:31 pm
Twinkie…. the inspections and roll all should be done by the seniors if they want to be leaders of the team. Richt can’t be envolved like a coach until practice opens up.
I have to admit you say that you were raised a Christian and you speak the way you do about another Christian? Just curious, but are you a practicing Christian?
Wutehvah
June 29th, 2012
3:32 pm
The real question… How many gold teef does he have?? Fo shizzle
I dropped my fried twinkie...
June 29th, 2012
3:32 pm
DIT, what’s your home address?
I dropped my fried twinkie
June 29th, 2012
3:33 pm
WHAT do you DO to a DOG that Bites the Hand of its Owner?
DIT
June 29th, 2012
3:34 pm
I will stand in the gap for Coach Richt, but that does not mean that I’m going to make excuses for IC. The guy has his consequences coming to him that fits the actions he was involved in. As all of us do!
dawgs1966
June 29th, 2012
3:34 pm
The Good Book says – let he who is guiltless cast the first stone .. i must have just stumbled into heaven how many of you are there?
DIT
June 29th, 2012
3:35 pm
Not going to give an address over this blog my friend.
TampaGator
June 29th, 2012
3:35 pm
jdawgs……
The problem….sir…..is that the gun cannot be matched to a background check related to Mr. Crowell. The serial number has been altered. Problem for Mr. Crowell. By the way, that law in Georgia is as stupid as what Crowell did last night. It isn’t like there isn’t enough violence in the world already. Hey….let us just put a gun in every car so we all can protect ourselves from everyone on the road and streets. Heck……not like there is too much road rage already. Another……heck…..heck, why not let every school kid bring a sub machine gun to school to protect him or herself from the millions of bullies out there…..also people they don’t like…..like…..mean teachers, principals, assistant principals……and….of course……parents who make them do homework instead of watching violent video games.
I dropped my fried twinkie
June 29th, 2012
3:37 pm
DIT………….Do I live the LIFE as best I could?
NO
Do I Know the word?
Yes
Have I done STUPID THINGS?
Yes
Have those mistakes cost me greatly?
YES
Do I want to give the kid a chance?
NO
Do I wish him to PAY & Take Responsibility?
YES
Would I say the same for a TECH Person?
YES, and I have,
Tommy B
June 29th, 2012
3:38 pm
Guess this must be Sabans fault huh lil puppies????
Tom
June 29th, 2012
3:39 pm
Is anyone surprised that another UGA player got arrested? Richt recruits the dregs of society. Granted a person is innocent until proven guilty but…What he needs to do, if he is guilty, is to plea in hopes that the felony charges can be reduced to possibly misdemeanors so that perhaps he can still play football. Of course, with UGAs history of dealing with their “blue chip” athletes, even if he is charged and convicted of felonies, they will only suspend him a few games (probably against their weaker opponents) and then he’ll be playing anyway with no lesson truly learned.
I dropped my fried twinkie
June 29th, 2012
3:39 pm
DIT that was my NAME THIEF asking you that. I would tell you my selected Email address to respond to. Ask Dawg 48…………I have his email address and his personal Phone #. I would only ask tat if we were wanting to get personal and be friends.
Will
June 29th, 2012
3:39 pm
Get rid of him let somebody play that deserves it. Cant keep giving him chances!
Fan of the Game
June 29th, 2012
3:40 pm
Yea, lets pay these guys and then they can buy some bullets for the gun.
80DAWG
June 29th, 2012
3:40 pm
Sorry to hear, but not surprised. To the idiots saying crazy mess. Please, this mess goes on at many, yes many schools. UGA spent more money randomly testing for dope last year that quite a few NCAA FBS. To the Carolina fan. Really? After Garcia was on the 5 year probation plan. Crowell must go. Then guess what? Jush like the kid from Oconee County… Mettenberg? He will play for LSU or maybe Carolina. Mettenberg is probably starting for LSU.
tell me again
June 29th, 2012
3:40 pm
New info: Well, if the car belonged to his Mom and the gun belonged to her or someone else – big IF – he will skate if it is how he’s telling it. I HOPE the kid is being truthful on this and that it is not as bad as it looks.
I dropped my fried twinkie...
June 29th, 2012
3:40 pm
You should really give me that address…I have some pictures to send to you.
DIT
June 29th, 2012
3:44 pm
Twinkie…… Right there with ya. IC was already given a chance so yes, he needs to go.
As just stated I will get my back bowed when people go after coach Richt. He is not the best Football coach out there, but he is a good role model for young men to be around. Now it’s up to them if they want to take in anything that he models or not. Being a good Christian role model is more important on the lives of theses men thatn a great football coach.
SLim
June 29th, 2012
3:45 pm
Bye bye….
Fan of the Game
June 29th, 2012
3:46 pm
If they have the energy to be out at 3 AM their butts can get a job and work. I am sick of this talk about paying these guys. They are getting the opportunity that many kids would love to have.
Tom
June 29th, 2012
3:46 pm
7576DAWG what has Richt done to get rid of the problem kids at Georgia? He may have run a few “less than blue chip” players out of the program but usually he gives them a slap on the hand. Suspends for a game or two and then they are again playing and learning no lesson.
jdawgs
June 29th, 2012
3:46 pm
Sorry “the Bear” but you are absolutely wrong. In Georgia it is absolutley perfectly legal to have a concealed handgun in your vehicle without a carry permit. And it is absolutey against GA law for a city government to attempt to register a handgun….
and “tampa gator” the serial # on the gun has nothing to do with a background check on a person…That would be your SSN…..
as for as the serial number being altered, that is a no no, but in most states it is a misdemor offense witha small fine unless it is used in a crime. Not sure about GA law on that one, trying to find out.
It is definitley illegal to have a handgun on public school campus unless you have a carry permit. So he could be in pretty seious trouble on that one, but again….let the facts sort themselves out.
DIT
June 29th, 2012
3:46 pm
Thanks for the head up!
bravesfan
June 29th, 2012
3:48 pm
still find it interesting that ajc allows us to comment on these stories but ot true actual news. whats the matter ajc? might hear some non liberal comments that go against your entire propaganda?
yet another reason i don’t subscribe.
kingdaddy
June 29th, 2012
3:48 pm
BC
Your 3:16 is unfortunate, but correct again my friend…
BobbyDawg
June 29th, 2012
3:48 pm
This story reminds me of Jeff Burger, Auburn’s QB back in the late 80’s, Grew up in some little po-dump town in west Ga. where everybody had a gunrack with a shotgun in it in the back window of their pick up truck.
Lib in Cobb
June 29th, 2012
3:49 pm
Perhaps UGA should do their recruiting at Fulton County Jail.
Damn Man!
June 29th, 2012
3:49 pm
Big dummy, instead of buying a hot gun off the street, you should’ve got a permit and bought one legally. It’s not like he had a criminal record.
TampaGator
June 29th, 2012
3:49 pm
DIT…..
Definition of a practicing Christian:
1. Be dead of brain…..unless you are a member of the Tea Party or watch FOX….and then just listen to and believe in everything they say.
2. Ignore scientific evidence at all cost because intelligence (next to money) is a root for evil….unless you are a church leader…..and then it is OK to act intelligent and ask for all your money.
3. Judge everyone because you are forgiven to do so by Jesus, FOX, and the Tea Partyl
4. Believe in fairly stories….because everyone knows Tinker Bell is real….just like Jesus. And both are coming back…..one to get even….and the other to get more even.
5. Believe someone behind a church podium on Sunday that reads from a book created to be Holy by those who were not……but never….think for yourself (see number 1)…..because then…..you might stop doing and believing in 2, 3, 4, and 5. But then….of course…..you would be judged to go to hell. Can’t have that now….can we……so back to brain dead.
DawgNole
June 29th, 2012
3:49 pm
Here we go again
June 29th, 2012
8:19 am
will this never end????????
______________________
You mean will this EVER end?
Not unless we stop recruiting this type of individual.
In other words, NO, it will not end–ever.
Jasper Sanks
June 29th, 2012
3:50 pm
My cuz is innocent. It wasn’t him. He was with me in hotel room on Victory Drive in Columbus smoking crack!!!!
TampaGator
June 29th, 2012
3:51 pm
Damn Man…..
I believe…..Mr. Crowell….would have been turned down on a gun permit request….based on his legal history.
DawgNole
June 29th, 2012
3:52 pm
Marie
June 29th, 2012
8:23 am
I know I’ve said it before….I just don’t get it. How can these guys be so incredibly stupid???? Is it really that hard to do the right thing?
________________
You’ve answered your own question: No, it is not “really that hard” to do the right thing–UNLESS you’re “incredibly stupid.”
Lakedawg
June 29th, 2012
3:53 pm
27 pages and most comments are about as inane as could be dreamed up.
Let the process play out and depending on findings IC days may be over at UGA.
Lot of God given talent, but nothing between the ears.
Da Truth
June 29th, 2012
3:53 pm
It is amazing how white people respond to these situations. Black parents wake u and stop sending your sons to these racially and culturally tense enviroments.
If this was your son you see how they respond when these young black kids get in trouble.
To the Young men that read this……do not believe the HYPE……BOY!!!
TampaGator
June 29th, 2012
3:54 pm
jdawgs….
It does since the serial number would identity the gun as yours……and not solen from someone else….which is obviously was. SSN would identify you as the purchaser of the gun. The serial number verifies that it IS your gun.
bigskydawg
June 29th, 2012
3:55 pm
IC denies knowing the gun was under the seat. If his fingerprints are anywhere on the luger or the bullets that may be in it, he is a liar and should be canned on the spot. Clubbing at 2AM is the best way for the other knuckleheads to stay out of trouble too. How about a curfew Coach Richt?
Tom
June 29th, 2012
3:57 pm
Richt recruits that same type of player that he played with at the University of Miami back in the day of “the U”…criminal types. Of course, I shouldn’t use the word “played” when he was never a starter there. He may be a CHRISTian but he is also a college football coach and nothing will get in his way of trying to win games, that is why he doesn’t can the “blue chip” players even when they have committed an infraction for which they should get canned.
Snoop Dawg
June 29th, 2012
3:58 pm
Mark Richt: The Birdman of Athens…
kingdaddy
June 29th, 2012
3:59 pm
Was it loaded?