Five Notre Dame Players Arrested Friday Evening
Update: all five charges are misdemeanors. The five were held overnight at the Fulton County Jail and released from custody Saturday afternoon.
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Five Notre Dame football players, including starting free safety Max Redfield, were arrested Friday night after state police stopped them for speeding and reported finding a handgun and marijuana.
Redfield, redshirt freshman cornerback Ashton White, freshman wide receiver Kevin Stepherson, sophomore running back Dexter Williams and sophomore linebacker Te'von Coney were each charged with possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor.
Redfield, Stepherson and Williams face an additional charge for possession of a handgun without a license.
The report states:
"Trooper Reason initiated a traffic stop on a 2007 Ford Focus on U.S. 31, near Fulton County Road 375 North, for allegedly traveling 73 miles per hour in a posted 60 miles per hour zone. The Ford also allegedly had an improper taillight. While Trooper Reason was speaking with the driver, identified as White, he allegedly smelled the odor of marijuana emanating from the car. Trooper Reason utilized his narcotics detecting police dog, Cartoush, to conduct a free air sniff around the Ford. The dog indicated the presence of illegal narcotics inside the vehicle. During a subsequent search of the car, officers allegedly found marijuana and a loaded handgun."
Paul Browne, vice president for public affairs and communications at Notre Dame, issued the following statement on the arrests.
"Any student arrested on a felony charge also faces dismissal from the university. The university will determine if additional sanctions should apply to any or all of the students charged."
Redfield has been a starter at safety the past two seasons. After some inconsistent play, he was a defensive leader during preseason practice. He was the Irish's fourth-leading tackler in 2015.
Williams had impressed during camp and figured to split carries as the third running back.
Stepherson, an early-enrollee freshman, was expected to see action this season at receiver.
Coney has battled for the starting Will linebacker position.
White figured to see snaps as a reserve cornerback.