Patriots cornerback Joejuan Williams’ first NFL offseason isn’t off to a great start.
The 22-year-old man was arrested on drug-related charges on Jan. 17 after being pulled over in Cumberland County, about a hundred miles east of Nashville, a Tennessee Highway Patrol report shows.
According to reports and his arrest warrants, a trooper stopped Williams on Interstate 40 near mile marker 333 at 9:37 p.m. for speeding in his 2016 black Land Rover. The report shows he was traveling 90 mph in a 70 mph zone.
During a search, reports show the trooper found acetaminophen hydrocodone prescription pills, valacyclovir hydrocodone pills, “a large amount of marijuana,” hand-rolled marijuana cigarettes, and illegal paraphernalia inside the SUV.
He was cited for speeding and also charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drugs without a prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia, court records show.
Williams was booked into the Cumberland County jail that same day and released on Jan. 18 after posting a $37,500 bond.
He’s due in court on Feb. 21 to enter a plea in his respective charges, a Cumberland County General Sessions Court court clerk said Thursday.
Williams, who is from Nashville, went to college at Vanderbilt. He was drafted in the second round, 45th overall, by the Patriots. The 6-foot-3 defensive back was buried on the Patriots’ talented depth chart, appearing in just nine games last season, making five tackles and one pass deflection.
If found guilty, Williams could very well face discipline from the NFL for violating the league’s collectively bargained policy and program covering substances of abuse. Section 2.3 of the policy details the potential punishment.
“Players convicted of or admitting to a violation of law … relating to use, possession, acquisition, sale, or distribution of Substances of Abuse other than alcohol, or conspiring to do so, are subject to appropriate discipline as determined by the Commissioner.
“Absent aggravating circumstances, discipline for a first offense will be a suspension without pay for up to four (4) regular and/or post-season games. If the Commissioner finds that there were aggravating circumstances, including but not limited to felonious conduct or serious injury or death of third parties, and/or if the Player has had prior drug or alcohol- related misconduct, increased discipline may be imposed.”
With the NFL, the punishment can vary. For example, Dallas Cowboys tight end Rico Gathers was suspended one game after being arrested for marijuana possession.
Williams is the second Patriots player to be arrested this month. Julian Edelman was arrested on Jan 11 for misdemeanor vandalism after jumping on the hood of a car and causing damage while out in Beverly Hills. Last summer, Patrick Chung was indicted in New Hampshire on a charge of felony cocaine possession. On Jan. 13, the drug charges were conditionally dismissed.
