Florida Gators junior receiver Antonio Callaway was cited for misdemeanor possession of marijuana early Saturday morning.
Gainesville Police officers stopped a black Mercedes SUV for a seatbelt violation. Callaway was sitting in the back seat behind the driver. When the officer approached the vehicle he reported smelling the odor of marijuana. After asking Callaway to exit the vehicle officers found a bag of marijuana weighing approximately seven grams in Callaway’s front pocket. Another passenger, 40-year old Kendrick Lamount Williams was also found with marijuana on his person and both admitted ownership of the marijuana. The two have a court date set for June 6.
Williams has a long criminal history ranging from drugs, to guns, battery and a vehicle theft.
Tight end C’yontai Lewis and two women were at the scene but the three were not charged with any wrongdoing.
“Coach Jim McElwain is aware of it and it is being dealt with,” a UF spokesperson said Thursday.
Callaway had previously admitted to marijuana use in an on the record interview he gave to Jake Schickel, who was the hearing officer in a Title IX case against Callaway where he was being accused of sexual battery. Callaway won his Title IX complaint when Schickel not responsible for sexual assault, sexual misconduct or conduct causing physical injury.
However, an admission of that nature wouldn’t trigger Florida’s substance abuse policy, making this Callaway’s first violation. UF substance abuse policy only calls for counseling following a first positive test for marijuana, and a suspension for the second offense. Those rules apply for a positive test not a citation, however.
McElwain previously suspended running backs Jordan Scarlett (bowl game vs. Michigan) and Mark Thompson (Georgia, 2016) for similar citations. Florida’s next game would be against Michigan on September 2 in Texas.