UPDATED: Felony Arrests for Two UGA Football Players

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UPDATED: Felony Arrests for Two UGA Football Players

Julian Rochester
Julian Rochester
Photo: Greg Poole/Bulldawg Illustrated

 
 
Freshman football players Julian Rochester and Chad Clay were arrested and charged with 2 felonies each early this morning. Jason Butt of Macon.com first reported the arrests.
 
 
As of 7:00 this morning, it appears from jail records that both are still incarcerated.
 
 
Some (unofficial) reports indicate that the weapon may have been a pellet gun or some type of air rifle that was discharged inside of an apartment. If so, it seems that the charges could be reduced latter.
 
 
Rochester’s high school confirms the air gun.
 


 
 
Further details emerge:
 
 


 
 
Here is the official UGA press release:
 

University of Georgia freshmen Julian Rochester and Chad Clay
were arrested Monday night on charges related to possession of a BB gun and
property damage.
 
“I’m disappointed with the poor judgment of Julian and Chad,” said UGA head
coach Kirby Smart. “We expect full compliance with the policies of the
University and of our football program from all our student-athletes.
Information is still being gathered but they will be disciplined in an
appropriate manner.”

 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 

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UGA Football 27 Comments

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Greg is closing in on 15 years writing about and photographing UGA sports. While often wrong and/or out of focus, it has been a long, strange trip full of fun and new friends.

27 responses on “UPDATED: Felony Arrests for Two UGA Football Players”

  1. David Kannady

    A felony for a BB gun seems a little ridiculous but it’s always the same s*** this time of year with the Bulldogs

  2. Bulldawg Bob2

    Under the current Georgia state law 16-11-127.1 regarding what is classified as a weapon on school property or in a school zone.

    There are many states with a similar law. They are  basically “no tolerance” laws in reaction to mass schools shootings that we have seen over the last 20 or so years. If this were high school or an elementary school, Rochester and Clay would likely be facing suspension and would have also been charged with a felony.

    While, I agree it should not be a felony and it just sounds silly; it is a case where what boys being boys could get away with 20 to 30 years ago with a slap on the wrist and probably having to repair and pay for damages done to property from said goofing off that now-a-days isn’t the case anymore.

  7. Greg Poole

    BenKellam No, I think he meant to say that the felony charges will be dropped. As of now, the young men are still in jail awaiting bond.

  8. Christopher Grady Haddock

    Reportedly, in light of today’s arrest we’ve pulled an offer to a future prospect pictured here.

  9. Bulldawg Bob2

    BenKellam I don’t know. LeCounte did not reply back to my DM on Twitter, and I haven’t been able to confirm it.

    It is possible the charges may get dropped or at the very least will be reduced to a misdemeanor because it ended up being a BB or pellet gun, but nothing confirmed yet. Kirby Smart should make a public announcement soon, and we might know more then.

  11. Jesse1

    Bulldawg Bob2 Spot on. It isn’t the police officers. It’s those damn soccer Mom’s and their hen pecked husbands.

  12. Jesse1

    blaxton_h GPoole_BI BD_illustrated Post Columbine over reaction.  Imagine if they were Fanner 50’s?

  13. Jesse1

    Score Check Man if I’d been busted every time a police officer saw me with my BB gun, my rap sheet would run from Clark Hill Dam to River Street in Savannah.

  17. Score Check

    The Real question is was this a Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle?  Like the one Ralphie almost shot his eye out with?

  20. Bulldawg Bob2

    blaxton_h GPoole_BI BD_illustrated Under law code 16-11-127.1, a BB or pellet gun is considered a felony weapon on a school campus.

    Now, the prosecutor can choose to reduce the charge, and hopefully, that will happen.but we will have to see.

  26. Travis83

    Man if these kids don’t keep their heads on straight were not gunna have a defensive line.