Felony fraud complaints filed against 9 Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida standout receiver Antonio Callaway used a stolen credit card to add $1,970 to his campus bookstore prepaid account and then used the money to purchase a high-end computer and fancy headphones, according to university police.

Now he’s facing two third-degree felony charges and potentially the end of his college football career.

According to Alachua County court records, sworn complaints were filed Monday against Callaway and eight teammates. The players were suspended indefinitely in August. The State Attorney’s Office will investigate before deciding whether to formally charge the players.

The maximum possible sentence is five years in prison and a $5,000 fine per charge, but State Attorney Bill Cervone said firsttime offenders would be eligible for a diversion program that includes reduced charges.

When asked about the potential charges affecting the players’ status with the team, coach Jim McElwain said: “You’re darn right.”

Running back Jordan Scarlett, defensive lineman Keivonnis Davis, defensive lineman Richerd Desir-Jones, linebacker James Houston, linebacker Ventrell Miller and receiver Rick Wells also are facing felony charges that include fraudulent use of a credit card and identity theft. Each of them made one charge with a stolen credit card number, ranging in value from $500 to $2,000, authorities said.

Scarlett, the team’s leading rusher in 2016, transferred $1,940 to his girlfriend’s bookstore account and made a purchase similar to Callaway’s, police said. Scarlett told his girlfriend the money came from an agent in New York.

Defensive end Jordan Smith and offensive tackle Kadeem Telfort were more egregious offenders — they made multiple purchases using multiple stolen cards, according to police, who gave the following account:

Smith used three cards to put $3,570 into his bookstore account. He used a fourth card to pay off $1,450 at the school’s parking and transportation department. During a three-day period in late July, Smith was denied several transfers ranging from $1,000 to $2,500.

Telfort added a total of $1,450 to his bookstore account during three occasions. He purchased three iPads, among other items. He also purchased snacks and junk food from a local delivery service.

Smith is facing five felony charges, and Telfort is facing 30.

Sobering loss

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State’s last two games have produced dramatically different results.

Now the program gets its third opportunity in three weeks to knock off a nationally ranked team to prove whether it’s among the Southeastern Conference’s best.

The Bulldogs looked nearly unstoppable in a dominant 37-7 win over LSU less than two weeks ago, spawning chatter among fans and analysts that they might be the second-best team in the SEC. But the success was short lived — they couldn’t do anything right in a sobering 31-3 loss to Georgia last weekend.

No. 24 Mississippi State (3-1, 1-1 SEC) is preparing for another difficult challenge when it travels to face No. 13 Auburn (3-1, 1-0) on Saturday. The Tigers are coming off an impressive 51-14 win over Missouri last weekend.

For Mississippi State, the LSU and Georgia games are proof that a wide variety of outcomes are possible.

“If we play really, really well, we’ve got a great chance to win,” Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said. “If we play poorly, we’ve got a great chance to lose.”