Florida State University quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston was given a misdemeanor citation Tuesday for shoplifting crab legs from a Publix grocery store.
“He got an adult civil citation,” a police source told the sports blog SB Nation. “If he completes the sanctions it will never show up on his record. They commonly give them to juveniles on first criminal offenses. They are now doing it for minor misdemeanors for adults to lower crime rate.”
Maj. Michael Wood with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office said during a press conference that Mr. Winston walked into a Publix near campus, ordered “seafood items,” including crab legs and crawfish, and walked out with the $32.72 worth of food without paying.
He later acknowledged to police that he realized once he got home that he had forgotten to pay for the food, but he never made an attempt to pay Publix back.
In addition to fulfilling 20 hours community service, police and Publix agreed that Mr. Winston met the criteria for the state’s Adult Civil Citation program, in which he will have seven days to contact and enroll. Maj. Wood said restitution will probably be part of that agreement.
Earlier reports said Mr. Winston was arrested for the theft, but police say that’s not the case.
Asked if Mr. Winston received special treatment because of his celebrity status, Maj. Wood responded: “This program would have been offered to anyone who met the criteria.”
Mr. Winston has had previous issues with the law, but no arrests have been made.
Last year, he was investigated for allegedly raping an FSU student, but he was not charged because of a lack of evidence.
In November, Mr. Winston was questioned about his involvement in a BB gun battle at an apartment complex near Doak Campbell Stadium.
And in July, a Burger King employee reported to police that the football player was stealing soda.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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