Heisman Trophy Winner Accused Of Shoplifting Crab Legs

[May 01, 2014]  By Kevin Gray

MIAMI (Reuters) — Florida State University quarterback Jameis Winston, the 2013 winner of college football's prestigious Heisman Trophy, was issued a civil citation for shoplifting $32.72 worth of crab legs and crawfish from a Florida grocery store, police said on Wednesday.

Winston, 20, who is also on the university's baseball team, was suspended indefinitely after the incident, team officials said.

The star athlete walked into a Publix supermarket near the university campus in Tallahassee on Tuesday night, ordered the food and left the store without paying, said Mike Wood of the Leon County Sheriff's Office.

Store employees identified Winston and deputies went to his apartment, Wood said. He said Winston told authorities he forgot to pay and realized it when he got home but made no attempt to return to the store or contact Publix.

"Jameis was very cooperative," Wood told reporters. "He said he left without paying for the items."

In a statement issued through his lawyer, Winston said he made "a terrible mistake" and called the incident a "moment of youthful ignorance."

"I must realize that my mistakes are magnified and can bring great embarrassment to all those who support me every day," he said. "I make no excuses for my actions and will learn and grow from this unfortunate situation."

Police issued Winston a civil citation, which Wood said is often used for non-violent minor crimes for people with no previous criminal history. Winston will be required to serve at least 20 hours of community service.

"This is not a criminal arrest," Wood said.

Wood said there is a store security video of the incident but it is not being publicly released.

Winston, one of only two freshmen to win a Heisman, led Florida State to the national championship in January. He passed for more than 4,000 yards and the team finished the season undefeated with a 14-0 record.

Florida State baseball coach Mike Martin said in a statement he decided to suspend Winston, who is an outfielder and a relief pitcher on the team.

"I am confident he will complete his community service obligation and the situation will be resolved soon," Martin said.

In December, Winston was cleared by a Florida state attorney of possible sexual assault charges after authorities determined there was insufficient evidence to charge him.

(Additional reporting by Bill Cotterell in Tallahassee; editing by Tom Brown and Gunna Dickson)

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