Former Jacksonville linebacker Telvin Smith has reached a plea agreement after his arrest last April for unlawful sexual activity with minors, a second-degree felony in the state of Florida. Smith pled no-contest to the lower charge of child abuse and was given three years of probation. As part of the plea agreement, Smith maintains his innocence, his attorney, Hank Coxe, said, according to ESPN’s Mike DiRocco.
“Great player. Great person. Great father,” Coxe said in a statement. “Huge fan of this town. He will move on and do fine.”
Smith was initially arrested at his Queen’s Harbour home on April 29, 2020, by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office following a sixth-month investigation. According to Smith’s arrest warrant, he’s accused of sexually abusing a 17-year-old girl multiple times, both in his home and vehicle. Smith had knowledge of the girl’s age, according to the warrant.
As part of his plea agreement, he must undergo psychosexual counseling and refrain from contact with the 17-year-old girl, as well as any other girls under the age of 18 that aren’t family members until approved by counselors.
Smith originally joined the Jaguars as a fifth-round pick in 2014, and he was a Pro Bowler and Second Team All-Pro selection in 2017. On May 19, 2019, Smith announced on Instagram that he would not play football in 2019 to “get his world in order.” He didn’t appear for another game in the NFL after that.
