CLEMSON — Clemson football defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart was arrested Feb. 6 and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm on university property.

According to the Pickens County court records, the redshirt senior was arrested on a weapons charge for "carrying or displaying firearms (on) school property" and a traffic charge for "failure to exercise due care while operating a motor vehicle."

The Greenville News obtained the incident report from the Clemson University police. Sergeants Matthew Davis and Charles Burks observed a vehicle spin its tires and accelerate quickly twice after 8 p.m., which caused the traffic stop in the Duckworth Family Tennis Facility parking lot.

Capehart opened his glove box in search of his vehicle information, and Burks noticed a loaded magazine in it. Officers asked Capehart to exit the vehicle, and he complied. Officers later found a carbine-length 9mm rifle in his truck that didn't belong to him and placed him under arrest.

South Carolina Code of Laws section 16-23-420(a), which is cited in the Clemson student handbook in the safety section under concealed weapons policy, states: "It is unlawful for a person to possess a firearm of any kind on any premises or property owned, operated, or controlled by a private or public school, without the express permission of the authorities in charge of the premises or property."

If an individual is found guilty of violating that law, they would be "guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than $5,000 dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both."

Clemson's athletic department released the following statement to The Greenville News: "We have been aware of the facts of the case from the start, and he is not presently participating in team activities while awaiting completion of all legal and university processes."

Suspensions within the university system are imposed by the school's Office of Community and Ethical Standards. According to the Clemson athletics student-athlete handbook, a student-athlete will be suspended immediately from all athletic activity if the person is "arrested for and/or criminally charged with any felony offense, sports wagering, gambling, game fixing; illegal possession of a weapon; or criminal sexual conduct."

Capehart posted a $10,000 bond for the weapons charge and $232.50 bond for the traffic charge the following day, per court records.

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A native of Hartsville, Capehart has recorded two sacks and 30 tackles, including nine tackles for loss, through 34 career games with the Tigers. Entering his fifth season, he is expected to have a larger role and potentially start for the first time at defensive tackle after veterans Tyler Davis and Ruke Orhorhoro departed.

Clemson football begins spring practice later this month.

Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: DeMonte Capehart arrested: Clemson DT suspended after gun charge