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Former Jags LB Telvin Smith arrested on charge of unlawful sexual activities with certain minors

jason owens
Staff writer
·2 min read
JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 05: Telvin Smith #50 of ther Jacksonville Jaguars waits in the bench area prior to the start of their game against the Cincinnati Bengals at EverBank Field on November 5, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images)
Telvin Smith, who mysteriously took last season off, was arrested in Jacksonville Wednesday afternoon. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images)

Former Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith has been arrested in Florida on a charge of unlawful sexual activities with certain minors.

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office records show that Smith, 29, was arrested Wednesday afternoon and is being detained on $50,000 bond.

Citing a law enforcement officer, ESPN reports that Smith is accused of having sex with a 17-year-old girl on multiple occasions in his house and in his car last August and September.

Florida Statute 794.05 defines the charge of sexual activities with certain minors as “a person 24 years of age or older who engages in sexual activity with a person 16 or 17 years of age” and lists the charge as a second-degree felony.

SWAT team seen at Smith’s home

News 4 in Jacksonville reports that a heavily armored SWAT team and detectives were seen Wednesday at Smith’s Jacksonville home in the upscale Queen’s Harbour neighborhood.

The same outlet reported last November that investigators executed a search warrant at Smith’s home and towed a black Cadillac Escalade from his property.

According to that report, Smith was seen in handcuffs but not arrested as a result of the Nov. 27 police search.

Smith’s mysterious exit from NFL last season

Smith, a five-year NFL veteran who made the Pro Bowl in 2017, did not play in 2019 after a surprise announcement in May that he was taking the season off.

“It was said to me from a great coach that in order for the man to be his best, he must get his world in order. At this time I must take time away from this game and get my world in order,” Smith wrote in a May 9 Instagram post.

“I must give this time back to myself, my family and my health. I appreciate all the support I will and will not get. I just ask y’all to respect my decision to not play football this season.”

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