VALDOSTA —
It has been less than a month since former Lowndes football standout Josh Harvey-Clemons moved to Athens to enroll at the University of Georgia during the summer semester, and already the soon-to-be defensive player for the Bulldogs is making headlines for the wrong reasons.
Harvey-Clemons, 18, was one of four Georgia football players that were riding in a car driven by second-year running back Isaiah Crowell early Friday morning in Athens.
Upon being pulled over by Athens-Clarke County Police, Crowell, 19, was arrested and charged with two counts of felony gun charges — Possession of a weapon in a school zone and possession of a firearm with an altered identification — and a misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed firearm.
He has since been dismissed from the team and can face a $10,000 fine and two to 10 years in prison if found guilty.
Harvey-Clemons and three other incoming freshman were questioned, searched and then let go by police after it was determined none of the players had weapons on their person.
On his Twitter account (@J_Dat25), Harvey-Clemons said the following, “ If u don't kno wat really happened then don't judge mane we was Neva on dat dumb ish.!! -Just tryna make it to the crib.!”
According to reports, the officer smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car, but failed to find contraband on any of the five occupants following pat downs.
For Crowell, his charges stem after police found a 9mm Luger pistol with the serial number scratched of under the driver’s seat.
According to police reports, Crowell told police that many people drove his vehicle and that he was unsure of where the gun came from.
Crowell was booked at 3:37 a.m. and later released on $6,000 bail. He has also been placed on a 10 p.m. curfew.
Unlike Crowell, Harvey-Clemons, and the other three football players, will not face an disciplinary action from the university for being a bystander in the arrest, although he will likely earn himself a closed-door meeting with University of Georgia football coaches.
The arrest of Crowell adds to a large total of Bulldog football players that have been arrested this offseason and that are facing suspension for the upcoming season. Crowell is the first UGA player to be arrested and then dismissed from the team this offseason. He is the second running back in two years that has been dismissed from the team following an arrest; Washuan Ealey was arrested last offseason and was dismissed from the team and later transferred to Georiga Southern University, where he played for the FCS Eagles.
Crowell was named the 2011 SEC Freshman of the Year after he rushed or 850 yards with five touchdowns but was slowed by disciplinary problems during the summer.
Harvey-Clemons was the state’s top-prospect last year and signed the with the Bulldogs on National Signing Day, Feb. 1. Harvey-Clemons was named the Region 1-AAAAA Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the All-State team. He tallied over 110 tackles for the Vikings (8-4) last season along with three interceptions. He is expected to see ample playing time this fall, due to the suspensions of other Bulldog players as a result of other arrests.
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Harvey-Clemons involved in Crowell incident
Former Viking in car, won’t face charges; Crowell dismissed from team
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