Authorities say an Alabama football player was jailed after deliberately transmitting a sexually transmitted disease.
Elijah Pritchett, a Crimson Tide offensive lineman, was detained on Wednesday night and charged with the Class C misdemeanor felony. He will be tried as a juvenile offender.
According to the Tuscaloosa Thread, a spokesman for the Tuscaloosa Police Department verified a report was filed against Pritchett last week, which resulted to his detention.
Pritchett was later freed on $500 bond, and it is unknown which STD he reportedly passed on to another person. Due to the nature of the charge and legal safeguards, little details have been published.
Alabama’s head coach, Nick Saban, has yet to provide a remark regarding the arrest.
In Alabama, there is a specific penalty known as AL Code 22-11A-21, which states that ‘any person afflicted with a sexually transmitted disease who shall knowingly transmit, or assume the risk of transmitting, or do any act which will probably or likely transmit such disease to another person shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.’
Pritchett could face up to three months in prison and a fine if convicted of the crime. He was awarded youthful offender status, which means that persons between the ages of 18 and 21 cannot be tried as adults.
A Tuscaloosa judge awarded him the status, allowing him to get a reduced sentence and forego his right to a jury trial. There will be no criminal convictions, and all case records will be sealed.
He was released on bond just days before the Crimson Tide’s trip to the Rose Bowl for the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game. Alabama will take on Michigan.
Pritchett was previously caught for driving 95 mph in a 65 mph zone, according to AL.com. He admitted to the officer that he was speeding and pleaded guilty.
A month later, he was required to complete a four-hour defensive driving course, 10 hours of community service, and pay $197 in court expenses.
On September 5, his case was dismissed, and the university did not publicly reprimand Pritchett.
He arrived at the institution in 2022 and has appeared in 13 games for the Crimson Tide this season.
According to Bama Central, he intended to join the transfer portal, but in a statement made on Saturday, he stated that moving ‘was not in his best interest’ and that he would remain on the Alabama squad.
According to On3, he was the fourth-ranked offensive tackle in his class and the 34th overall player.
It is unknown whether Pritchett’s new charge will have an impact on the team’s forthcoming semifinal game or whether he will play.
Alabama’s Crimson Tide has competed in 75 bowl games since its inception in 1892.
The Crimson Tide won the SEC earlier this month following a nail-biting victory over No. 1 ranked Georgia in Atlanta, ruining the Bulldogs’ aspirations of three consecutive national championships.
But the Crimson Tide recovered from behind to win 27-24 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with quarterback Jalen Hurts leading the way.
It was Georgia’s first loss since the SEC Championship game in 2021, when the Bulldogs were defeated once more by Alabama.
This victory gave Saban’s team their third SEC championship in four years, and its eighth since 2012.
Alabama’s Crimson Tide has competed in 75 bowl games since its inception in 1892.
The Crimson Tide won the SEC earlier this month following a nail-biting victory over No. 1 ranked Georgia in Atlanta, ruining the Bulldogs’ aspirations of three consecutive national championships.
But the Crimson Tide recovered from behind to win 27-24 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with quarterback Jalen Hurts leading the way.
It was Georgia’s first loss since the SEC Championship game in 2021, when the Bulldogs were defeated once more by Alabama.
This victory gave Saban’s team their third SEC championship in four years, and its eighth since 2012.
Alabama’s Crimson Tide has competed in 75 bowl games since its inception in 1892.
The Crimson Tide won the SEC earlier this month following a nail-biting victory over No. 1 ranked Georgia in Atlanta, ruining the Bulldogs’ aspirations of three consecutive national championships.
But the Crimson Tide recovered from behind to win 27-24 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with quarterback Jalen Hurts leading the way.
It was Georgia’s first loss since the SEC Championship game in 2021, when the Bulldogs were defeated once more by Alabama.
This victory gave Saban’s team their third SEC championship in four years, and its eighth since 2012.
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