3 Texas A&M women’s basketball players arrested on minor drug charges
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Three Texas A&M women’s basketball players were arrested early Wednesday morning.
According to arresting documents, officers with the College Station Police Department responded to multiple calls saying there were people inside a car playing loud music and smoking marijuana outside a building in the Holleman Crossing Apartments.
When officers arrived on the scene, they found Maliyah Johnson, 21, Kayla Green, 22, and Kyndall Hunter, 21, in the car. Officers learned they were members of the women’s basketball team after speaking with them. Officers said Johnson admitted there was marijuana in the vehicle and after a search located a tied-off clear plastic baggie with marijuana inside.
Johnson and Hunter were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana in the amount of less than two ounces, both posted a $2,000 bond and were released from jail.
Police found a backpack in the vehicle with Green’s name on it and located marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside. Green was arrested for possession of marijuana and THC in the amount of less than 1 gram. As of Wednesday morning, she is still in the Brazos County Jail on bonds totaling $7,000.
“We are aware of the situation and per department policy, the student-athletes are suspended indefinitely. Further comment will be withheld until more information is known,” said Women’s Basketball Information Director Brandon Collins.
Law enforcement arrests of college students for minor drug charges have been a controversial issue in recent years. Last year, Texas A&M Police said it would no longer arrest offenders for non-violation, small amount marijuana possession offenses. Instead, UPD confiscates the marijuana if it’s less than two ounces, and then a case is sent to the county attorney for review. There was support from the Regents and Chancellor John Sharp following the policy change.
In April last year, a group of students began collecting signatures for a petition to decriminalize marijuana in College Station, however, the Texas Attorney General has recently sought legal action against cities across the state that have adopted non-prosecution policies for marijuana possession and distribution crimes.
“I will not stand idly by as cities run by pro-crime extremists deliberately violate Texas law and promote the use of illicit drugs that harm our communities,” said AG Ken Paxton
The five cities included in the lawsuit are Austin, San Marcos, Killeen, Elgin, and Denton.
