Tennessee linebacker Kivon Bennett was arrested Tuesday on weapons and drug charges. He was scheduled to speak with the media earlier on Tuesday.
Bennett was pulled over for speeding early Tuesday morning on Neyland Drive. According to the arrest report, the officer observed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Upon questioning, Bennett told the officer he had marijuana in a backpack located in the back of his vehicle.
When the arresting officer searched through Bennett’s backpack, that is when the marijuana was found, along with a digital scale. The officer asked Bennett if he had anything else in his possession, which Kivon said he had empty baggies as well. The officer then asked if he had any weapons, which Bennett then told the officer he had a Glock 17 under the driver seat.
The officer searched the rest of the vehicle, where according to the report, 44.9 grams of marijuana, 1 black scale, and 58 baggies were located. Kivon told the officer that the marijuana was his and that the Glock 17 was not stolen and that he bought it at a gun show. Bennett told the officers that he smoked marijuana once per day.
Bennett was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent, (Felony) “Firearm used in dangerous” and prohibited from possessing a firearm in the state/federal.
Per the report, “A citation was not issued because this offense is charged in conjunction with a felony arrest.”
The University of Tennessee and Jeremy Pruitt released a statement this evening.
“Kivon Bennett has been dismissed from our football program following a traffic stop earlier today. There is a standard our student-athletes are expected to uphold at Tennessee, and today’s incident fell well short of that standard.”
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