Sammy Wheeler, Kansas State tight end, was arrested Sunday morning on multiple charges.
The Kansas State University Police Department arrested Wheeler at 12:43 a.m. Sunday in the 1100 block of Thurston Street on charges of unlawful use of a driver’s license, purchase/possession/consumption of liquor by a minor (first offense) and interference with a law enforcement officer (intending to obstruct by falsely reporting information). Authorities added a fourth charge Monday morning: urinating in public.
He’s free after posting a $500 bond. His arrest came just one day before turned 21 — Wheeler’s birthday is May 18.
The football program had no official statement on Wheeler’s arrest; a spokesperson told The Mercury on Sunday that “the matter will be handled internally.”
A rising third-year sophomore, Wheeler appeared in seven games last fall before suffering a season-ending ACL injury in K-State’s 38-10 win at Kansas on Nov. 2.
Wheeler began his career as a quarterback before shifting to tight end last spring. He redshirted during his freshman season in 2018.
Hopes are high for what Wheeler still might be able to accomplish at tight end as he continues to learn about his new position.
“The biggest thing would be, obviously he’s a big enough guy, even though he’s not huge, to get in the backside as a tight end,” offensive coordinator Courtney Messingham said Nov. 14. “Maybe not be at the point of attack in the run game standpoint, but yet then still be able to stress people in the passing game. He’s obviously a much more fluid athlete than the other tight ends.”
Head coach Chris Klieman praised the “great leaps” he saw from Wheeler starting with preseason camp in August and into the middle of October.
“I think everybody saw some glimpses in the spring that we were excited about,” Klieman said. “I think probably, even as coaches, we maybe had some unrealistic expectations early for a kid that made (the switch) three or four practices in on how far along he would be. … I’ve been really impressed with Sammy. Once again, a young player that’s going to have an exceptional career at that position.”
Tyler Flink, Montana Grizzlies linebacker, hid from cops in dumpster
Tyler Mathew Flink, a 20-year-old University of Montana Grizzlies linebacker from Missoula, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor obstruction of a peace officer and being a minor in possession of alcohol in Missoula Municipal Court on Monday morning.
According to court documents, Missoula police responded to the Top Hat, where police “believed a group of males was engaging in disorderly conduct.”
When police attempted to make contact with them, Flink fled. Records indicate Flink hid in a dumpster and made “numerous attempts to elude law enforcement officers on foot,” until police located him on the 200 block of East Pine Street and arrested him at 12:40 a.m. Saturday.
Flink was booked in Missoula County Jail at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, but was released about an hour later after posting his own bond, according to the Missoula County Jail Roster. He pleaded guilty at an initial court appearance Monday morning.
“We are aware of an incident over the weekend involving a student-athlete and law enforcement,” Haslam wrote. “As we do whenever we have this type of issue, we will follow the process described in the student-athlete code of conduct.”
Haslam said he couldn’t speculate what the ACT would decide on for the penalty, but confirmed that both the obstruction and MIP charges are Category III offenses, the lowest of three categories.
In the student-athlete code of conduct, a mandatory minimum penalty rubric determines some possible outcomes, depending on the seriousness of the offense and how many offenses there were. If the two charges are treated as two separate Category III offenses, Flink would receive a “minimum suspension of 10% of scheduled contests.
If treated as a single offense, it would incur any number of penalties, including a behavior contract, alcohol counseling, or game and practice suspension.
In the court system, a minor in possession charge carries a maximum penalty of a $300 fine on first offense. Obstructing a peace officer carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $500 fine.
Source: Charges: Griz linebacker hid from cops in dumpster; pleads guilty
Auburn walk-on wide receiver arrested for minor in possession of alcohol, fake ID
Auburn walk-on wide receiver Pace Ozmint was arrested over the weekend for minor in possession of alcohol and giving false identification to a law enforcement officer.Ozmint, a redshirt-sophomore, was arrested on the 100 block of W Magnolia Avenue in Auburn on Saturday, according to Auburn police logs.
Both charges are misdemeanors in Alabama.
The minor in possession charge carries a fine of no less than $25 and no more than $100 and up to 30 days in jail. False identification carries a fine of no less than $50 or more than $500, can include a jail sentence of up to three months and requires surrendering one’s license for at least three months and no more than six months.
Typically, first-time offenders under 21 years of age receive youthful offender status and pay a fine and court costs.
Source: Auburn walk-on wide receiver arrested for minor in possession of alcohol, fake ID