Ex-Hog Jones pleads not guilty to cocaine possession
Posted on Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Former Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Matt Jones pleaded not guilty to cocaine possession during his arraignment at the Washington County Detention Center on Monday.
Jones, about to enter his fourth season as a wide receiver with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL, had no comment for about a dozen journalists who followed him into the parking lot following his court appearance.
Fayetteville attorney Woody Bassett, who represents Jones, also had no comment.
Jones, 25, wore black earrings and a dark, pin-striped suit with a blue button-down shirt and a green tie as he appeared before Washington County Detention Center Judicial Officer Ray Reynolds.
He was formally charged with possession of a controlled substance in Washington County Circuit Court on Friday. His trial date is set for Oct. 15.
This felony charge carries a possible sentence of three to 10 years and / or a fine of up to $ 10, 000. First-time, nonviolent drug offenders typically get probation or participate in the drug court program, officials have said.
Jones was arrested July 10 after Fayetteville police officers found him in possession of 6 grams of cocaine in a parked vehicle behind a Dickson Street bar, according to the police report.
Police also arrested former Razorbacks tight end Jared Hicks, 25, of Fayetteville and Benjamin Cook of Tulsa, Okla., who were also in the vehicle. Both Hicks and Cook face Oct. 15 trial dates on misdemeanor charges of possession of drug paraphernalia in Fayetteville District Court.
Jones, a Razorback from 2001-04, has played in 42 games with five starts for the Jacksonville Jaguars since being selected in the first round of 2005 NFL draft.
Jones' career totals at Jacksonville include 101 receptions for 1, 392 yards with 13 touchdowns along with 14 rushes for 36 yards, according to the team's Web site.
He recorded at least four touchdowns in each of his first three seasons and ranks fourth in franchise history with an average of 13. 8 yards per reception, the Web site states.
While at Arkansas, Jones set the Southeastern Conference career quarterback rushing record with 2, 335 yards.
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