Winston “Forgets” to Pay for Seafood

Jameis Winston, Florida State quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner, was given a civil citation on April 30, 2014 after walking out of a deli in a Tallahassee, Fla.-area Publix the day before with $32 worth of crab legs and crawfish.

Leon County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Michael Wood said that Winston was “very cooperative” when the deputies arrived at his house, in a post-Miranda interview. Winston acknowledged that he had not payed for the food, and said he forgot.

The civil citation will require Winston to complete at least 20 hours of community service and will most likely have to pay restitution. If he does that, no criminal charges will be filed.

Wood said that “[Winston] indicated to the deputies he had forgotten and when he got home he realized that he had not paid, but in fact he had made no effort to contact Publix or return to pay prior to the deputies’ arrival”, which was three hours after Winston left the store. (according to espn.com)

Winston said, in a signed statement, “As reported in the news, last night I received an adult citation for petit theft from a local supermarket. I went to the supermarket with the intent to purchase dinner but made a terrible mistake for which I’m taking full responsibility. In a moment of youthful ignorance, I walked out of the store without paying for one of my items. I realize that I am in the public spotlight and my conduct needs to be above reproach… I must realize that my mistakes are magnified and can bring great embarrassment to all those who support me every day.” (according to espn.com)

As a result of the citation, Florida State has suspended Winston from its baseball team. According to the  university’s athletic department code of conduct/discipline policy a student-athlete with a civil citation is eligible to practice and compete, but that the head coach decides whether he/she will.