KAREEM COPELAND
Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida State receiver Jesus Wilson has been suspended from the football team after facing a felony charge in the theft of a motor scooter, officials said Wednesday.
Police say Wilson was stopped as he rode a motor scooter days after it was reported stolen on campus June 11. Wilson said a friend loaned him the vehicle. An investigation ensued, and Wilson was later arrested and charged with third-degree grand motor theft. He turned himself in Wednesday and was freed on $2,500 bond.
FSU spokesman Rob Wilson said the athletics department’s code of conduct forbids a player from representing the team when charged with a felony. Jesus Wilson is not eligible to play or travel, but can practice and is not automatically kicked off the team.
Coach Jimbo Fisher did not comment outside of announcing the suspension in a statement.
Wilson, a sophomore from Miami, played in 12 games last year and was expected to compete for a starting position as the Seminoles defend their national championship. He had three receptions for 23 yards in 2013 and averaged 11.1 yards on eight punt returns.
Wilson had four catches for 101 yards, including a 66-yard reception and a touchdown during the Florida State spring game. Quarterback Jameis Winston praised Wilson after the game and said building their chemistry wouldn’t be as difficult as with the other new receivers.
“He’s going to be the easy one because, mentally, he’s mature and he wants to be there,” Winston said in the spring. “He’s the type of player he’s going to do it on his own.”
The Seminoles will have two new starters at the position after Kelvin Benjamin and Kenny Shaw went to the NFL.
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