ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. (WNDU) Notre Dame football players Kevin Stepherson and Craig (C.J.) Holmes have been formally charged after they were arrested for shoplifting from Macy’s at University Park Mall.
Kevin Stepherson and C.J. Holmes
On Dec. 15, Stepherson was arrested for shoplifting a pair of sweatpants from Macy’s. He was picked up walking out of the store wearing a stolen $59 pair of Nautica sweatpants he allegedly did not purchase.
The arrest report says Holmes walked out of the store with a $79 coat from The North Face.
The two were taken to the Macy’s Security office and released after being notified of their proxy arrest.
On Wednesday, Stepherson and Holmes were charged with conversion, a Class A misdemeanor.
According to in.gov, “A person who knowingly or intentionally exerts unauthorized control over property of another person commits criminal conversion, a Class A misdemeanor.”
Stepherson’s first court hearing will be on January 29, 2018. Holmes will be in court on January 30, 2018.
Stepherson is also facing a drug charge from a traffic stop that occurred one day before the shoplifting arrest.
The Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office says Stepherson was pulled over for speeding on Dec. 14 and is being charged with possession of marijuana, speeding, and no valid driver’s license.
According to court documents, Stepherson was driving 80 miles per hour in a 60 mph zone.
Stepherson and Holmes were already suspended from all football related activities after news broke of their shoplifting arrests.
“We ask our players to be smart and make good choices. You’re always disappointed. They’re teenagers,” coach Brian Kelly said during a news conference on Dec. 21. “I don’t go in to this business expecting our kids to be perfect. We expect our kids to make good choices, and when they don’t, they got to be held accountable. There’s always going to be growing experiences, and the most important thing is to hold them accountable.”
On Wednesday, NewsCenter 16’s Angelo Di Carlo asked Kelly if he’s made any changes to Stepherson’s status with the team.
“No. He’s indefinitely suspended, like I said. Once the game’s over, I’ll make a decision on his permanent status,” Kelly answered. “That’s not something that I need to do right now. I’ll make that decision once I’m finished with guys that are on our roster. My focus right now, the most important thing right now, is to win this football game. So that’s my focus. Once this game is complete, I’ll make a decision on Kevin Stepherson in terms of what his status is with the football team.”
Stepherson was on probation as part of a plea deal for misdemeanor possession of marijuana following an August 2016 arrest in Fulton County on U.S. 31 in Rochester, along with four other teammates.
As part of the probation, Stepherson was mandated to submit urine samples as well as avoid alcohol consumption and illicit drug use. He was also required to participate in the court’s drug and alcohol program.
Despite the August arrest last year, Stepherson did not sit out a single game in 2016. He finished 2nd on the team in receiving.
While it was never acknowledged by Notre Dame, Stepherson was suspended for the first four games of 2017 for what sources tell NewsCenter 16 was a violation of team rules. He eventually returned to action and became one of Notre Dame’s most reliable wide receivers, catching a team high five touchdowns during the most recent football season. Stepherson started three games, catching 19 total passes for 359 yards.
Holmes played in eight total games, rushing the ball eight times for 32 yards. He appeared mostly on special teams.