According to ESPN’s Michael DiRocco, former Jaguars LB Telvin Smith has been arrested in Jacksonville and charged with “unlawful sexual activity with certain minors.”
DiRocco adds that the Duval County Jail website shows bond set at $50,003.
A source tells DiRocco that Smith is accused of having sex with a 17-year-old girl multiple times, both at his home and in his vehicle, last August and September.
DiRocco’s source added that the victim told a friend and family member what happened after the first encounter with Smith.
The source also said investigators found evidence in Smith’s car that linked him to the victim.
The Jaguars issued the following statement:
“The Jaguars are aware of the report involving former linebacker Telvin Smith. The club is unable to comment further on this ongoing investigation.”
News 4 in Jacksonville reports that heavily armored SWAT team officers and undercover detectives were spotted at Smith’s home.
Last year, investigators with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office were seen raiding Smith’s home and towing a vehicle. According to News4Jax, this case is still under investigation and another search warrant was issued Wednesday.
Smith surprisingly decided to retire from the NFL last year and was later placed on the reserve/retirement list by the Jaguars.
Smith announced his intention to sit out the 2019 season as he takes some time away from football for his mental health. The Jaguars fined him for missing mandatory minicamp.
Smith, 29, is a former fifth-round pick by the Jaguars in the 2014 NFL Draft. He was in the final year of a four-year, $2,431,052 rookie contract when the Jaguars signed him to a four-year, $50 million extension in 2017.
Smith was set to make base salaries of $9.75 million and $10 million over the next two years of the agreement.
In 2018, Smith appeared in all 16 games for the Jaguars and recorded 134 tackles, one sack, two interceptions, a defensive touchdown, a forced fumble, a recovery and two pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 44 linebacker out of 92 qualifying players.
We’ll have more regarding Smith as the news is available.
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