TALLAHASSEE — Jameis Winston was suspended from the Florida State baseball team on Wednesday following an adult civil citation for shoplifting seafood from a Tallahassee Publix store.
The relief pitcher/outfielder wasn’t arrested and no criminal charges were filed, Leon County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Michael Wood clarified in a press conference on Wednesday. The civil citation, created as part of a pre-arrest diversionary program, was issued after LCSO deputies consulted with Publix managers and Winston. The victim in the case, Publix, must agree to the civil citation rather than press criminal charges, Wood said.
“As a result of his citation (Tuesday), we are suspending Jameis Winston from the baseball team,” FSU baseball coach Mike Martin said in a release. “I am confident he will complete his community service obligation and the situation will be resolved soon.”
LCSO deputies were called to Publix on Ocala Road shortly after Winston left the store without paying for $32.72 worth of crab legs and crawfish at around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Wood said. Winston didn’t purchase any other items and was cooperative when deputies met him at his residence at around 11 p.m., Wood said. Wood added Winston stated he forgot to pay for the food.
“It took a while to amass the facts and information,” Wood said. “We were relatively sure it was Jameis and knew he would not be too horribly difficult to locate.”
Winston was ordered to do 20 hours of community service. Wood said restitution also is expected and Winston, 20, will be released from the program upon completion of the terms. The case will be turned over as a criminal offense should Winston not finish his obligations.
FSU hosts Minnesota in a three-game series starting on Friday and has 10 games remaining until the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament starting on May 20. Under FSU regulations, student-athletes who are involved in misdemeanor matters are permitted to practice and play with respective teams. The decision to suspend is left up to the coach and Winston will return to the team once he has completed the program.
FSU football coach Jimbo Fisher stated in the release that he supported Martin’s decision. Fisher said he will ensure Winston meets the obligations of the program.
Winston starred for FSU’s football team, leading the Seminoles to a 14-0 season and a national title at quarterback. He won the Heisman Trophy amid a cloud of a sexual assault investigation. The year-long investigation finished with no charges for Winston in December.
Winston was questioned in a November 2012 report regarding a BB gun fight on campus that damaged windows. Winston wasn’t charged.
The rising sophomore also was mentioned in an Associated Press report regarding an incident at Burger King in July 2013. The police report said Winston allegedly filled a water cup with soda without paying. He wasn’t interviewed and the establishment declined to press charges.
