A former Florida Institute of Technology football player who police say used social media to sell stolen goods from retail stores in Brevard and Indian River counties was arrested.
Marshawn Gordon, 23, of Missouri, was charged with dealing or trafficking in stolen property, possession of an anti-shoplifting inventory control device, organized fraud, and petit theft, after a traffic stop in Melbourne.
Gordon had exhausted his eligibility with Florida Tech’s football program after the end of the last season. He played two seasons as a backup running back and wide receiver with the Florida Tech Panthers.
Marshawn Gordon (Photo: BREVARD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE)
In November, Gordon was one of 10 offensive players honored on Senior Day as part of the festivities before rushing for 45 yards on four carries in that season-ending 42-3 victory against Shorter.
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On Jan. 8, Brevard County sheriff’s deputies were alerted about a retail theft at the Target store in Viera. Deputies spotted his vehicle and carried out a traffic stop. Deputies approached the car with guns drawn and ordered him out of the vehicle, reports show.
Deputies searched the car and found a pair of cutters – the kind typically used to cut roofing type metal – sticking out of his right pocket. Investigators said Gordon had used the cutters to remove shoplifting devices at Target stores in West Melbourne, Viera and in Indian River County.
Inside the car, deputies found several electronics, including wireless controllers, video streaming devices, Amazon Firesticks. West Melbourne police also linked Gordon to the theft of Nintendo switch controllers and Fitbit watches.
Investigators talked with Gordon, who admitted to stealing the goods and then selling the items on Instagram and Facebook. Gordon was registered at Florida Tech but was not staying on campus, authorities reported.
He remained held at the Brevard County Jail on $34,000, according to court records. No court date has been set.
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