Hugging without a permit?????
Feb. 9, 2004
SportsLine.com wire reports
MIAMI -- An arrest warrant was issued for Miami's top recruit on Monday, accusing him of violating his probation while on a recruiting visit to Florida last month.
Willie Williams, 19, has been charged with misdemeanor battery by state officials in Gainesville after a woman said he hugged her without permission. That charge spurred the issuing of an arrest warrant in Broward County, where Williams is on probation for pleading no contest to felony burglary in 2002.
Williams' 18-month probation term was to end Wednesday. He now may face up to five years in prison, the maximum on the burglary charge, plus an uncertain future with the Hurricanes.
"I am not talking to the officials at Miami at this point. I know they are taking a wait-and-see attitude," said Paul Lazarus, Williams' attorney. "I am hopeful they will take Willie under their guidance and he will help them win a national championship. They have to let the dust settle on this."
Miami athletic director Paul Dee said in a statement released Monday that the school was monitoring the case.
Although Williams has already accepted a scholarship, Miami could rescind it under NCAA rules.
Williams, who could not be reached for comment, remained free Monday afternoon. Lazarus said he was filing a motion asking a Broward judge to allow Williams to surrender voluntarily.
"If that doesn't happen, he will surrender when the judge tells us he has to," Lazarus said.
Willie Williams made headlines last week when he chose to sign with Miami over FSU.(AP)
More charges against Williams may be pending, State Attorney's Office spokesman Spencer Mann said, because the woman's battery claim was one of three complaints filed against Williams in Gainesville.
Williams also allegedly hit a man at a bar and set off three fire extinguishers in his hotel -- all in span of five hours. The unlawful use of fire extinguishers may be a felony, officials said.
"The other two (complaints) are still being investigated," Mann said.
Williams allegedly grabbed the woman against her will and held her face "against his chest and/or touching the victim about the body," according to the charge. It did not reveal any other details of the incident.
Williams had 83 tackles and 18 sacks last season, helping Miami Carol City win the state Class 6A title and earning Parade All-American honors. He chose Miami over Florida State, Florida and Auburn.
School officials said last week they were unaware Williams had been arrested 10 times from 1999 through 2002, mostly for burglary and theft-related charges, an admission that athletic director Paul Dee showed the background-checking process was "insufficient."
The arrest record and the Gainesville complaints were revealed on Feb. 4, the same day Williams signed his letter of intent to enroll at Miami and play for the Hurricanes.
State records show the last time Williams was in legal trouble before the Gainesville complaints was July 2002, when he was accused of stealing of $3,800 of stereo equipment from a Pembroke Pines store -- the incident that led to the felony burglary charge and probation sentence.
AP NEWS
Feb. 9, 2004
SportsLine.com wire reports
MIAMI -- An arrest warrant was issued for Miami's top recruit on Monday, accusing him of violating his probation while on a recruiting visit to Florida last month.
Willie Williams, 19, has been charged with misdemeanor battery by state officials in Gainesville after a woman said he hugged her without permission. That charge spurred the issuing of an arrest warrant in Broward County, where Williams is on probation for pleading no contest to felony burglary in 2002.
Williams' 18-month probation term was to end Wednesday. He now may face up to five years in prison, the maximum on the burglary charge, plus an uncertain future with the Hurricanes.
"I am not talking to the officials at Miami at this point. I know they are taking a wait-and-see attitude," said Paul Lazarus, Williams' attorney. "I am hopeful they will take Willie under their guidance and he will help them win a national championship. They have to let the dust settle on this."
Miami athletic director Paul Dee said in a statement released Monday that the school was monitoring the case.
Although Williams has already accepted a scholarship, Miami could rescind it under NCAA rules.
Williams, who could not be reached for comment, remained free Monday afternoon. Lazarus said he was filing a motion asking a Broward judge to allow Williams to surrender voluntarily.
"If that doesn't happen, he will surrender when the judge tells us he has to," Lazarus said.
Willie Williams made headlines last week when he chose to sign with Miami over FSU.(AP)
More charges against Williams may be pending, State Attorney's Office spokesman Spencer Mann said, because the woman's battery claim was one of three complaints filed against Williams in Gainesville.
Williams also allegedly hit a man at a bar and set off three fire extinguishers in his hotel -- all in span of five hours. The unlawful use of fire extinguishers may be a felony, officials said.
"The other two (complaints) are still being investigated," Mann said.
Williams allegedly grabbed the woman against her will and held her face "against his chest and/or touching the victim about the body," according to the charge. It did not reveal any other details of the incident.
Williams had 83 tackles and 18 sacks last season, helping Miami Carol City win the state Class 6A title and earning Parade All-American honors. He chose Miami over Florida State, Florida and Auburn.
School officials said last week they were unaware Williams had been arrested 10 times from 1999 through 2002, mostly for burglary and theft-related charges, an admission that athletic director Paul Dee showed the background-checking process was "insufficient."
The arrest record and the Gainesville complaints were revealed on Feb. 4, the same day Williams signed his letter of intent to enroll at Miami and play for the Hurricanes.
State records show the last time Williams was in legal trouble before the Gainesville complaints was July 2002, when he was accused of stealing of $3,800 of stereo equipment from a Pembroke Pines store -- the incident that led to the felony burglary charge and probation sentence.
AP NEWS
