Two 19-year-old UConn football players have been suspended from the team after police stopped the car they were in Wednesday night and found marijuana, a BB gun and an open container of vodka in the car, according to UConn police and school officials.
Police arrested 19-year-old Nazir Williams, of Bridgton, New Jersey, a red-shirt freshman linebacker; and Felton Alfonzo Blackwell III, 19, of Mays Landing, New Jersey, a red-shirt freshman defensive lineman, after stopping the silver Chevy Malibu Williams was driving, according to police.
Police made the traffic stop on Bolton Road, on the edge of campus, after police noticed it had only one working headlight and saw Williams cross the double line, according to reports from police.
When police approached the car, they smelled marijuana, according to a report from UConn police.
When officers searched the car, they found four grams of marijuana and a loaded BB gun that looked like a real gun, police said. The report says it was within Williams’ reach and police also found an open container of vodka.
Police said Blackwell was in possession of a loaded BB gun that looked real.
“University of Connecticut Director of Athletics David Benedict and head football coach Bob Diaco are aware of the incident that took place Wednesday night and take these allegations very seriously," UConn Athletics said in a statement. "The safety of our student-athletes and University community is of the utmost concern for the UConn Division of Athletics. UConn football student-athletes Felton Blackwell and Nazir Williams have been immediately suspended. The UConn Division of Athletics will work with the University during the investigation process until the situation is resolved.”
U.S. & World
Williams was arrested at 10:30 p.m. and charged with first-degree possession, weapons in a motor vehicle and possession of alcohol by a minor. Bond was set at $2,000 and he is due in court on Nov. 1.
Blackwell was charged with weapons in a motor vehicle and bond was set at $1,500. He is due in court on Nov. 1.
