Seven of Florida’s nine players accused of credit card fraud are taking the first steps back to becoming eligible to rejoin the team. Receiver Antonio Callaway, running back Jordan Scarlett, defensive lineman Keivonnis Davis, receiver Rick Wells, linebacker James Houston, linebacker Ventrell Miller and defensive lineman Richerd Desir-Jones have agreed to enter a pretrial intervention program, which would lead to the dismissal of charges if completed, according to court documents posted by Alachua County public records.
Alachua County State Attorney Bill Cervone previously stated that all but two players — offensive lineman Kadeem Telfort and defensive lineman Jordan Smith — are eligible for pretrial intervention. Cervone filed documents Thursday that recommend Callaway, Scarlett, Davis, Wells, Houston, Miller and Desir-Jones appear in front of a judge in early November to finalize the pretrial-intervention agreement. Similar agreements tend to involve community service, court costs and requirements that defendants serve a probationary period in which they have to avoid further legal trouble.
With more court dates set for November, it’s unlikely Florida’s players will see the field anytime soon. Gators coach Jim McElwain said the following in a statement concerning the players’ return: “We’ve been made aware of some updates in the legal process and there are still steps to go that include the University student conduct code.”
All nine players accused of fraud are still suspended indefinitely from all team activities.
Contact Matt Brannon at mbrannon@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @MattB_727.
