BREAKING: Michigan Wolverines Star Facing Felony Weapons Charge, Could Spend Five Years In Prison
Michigan starting defensive tackle Mazi Smith is facing felony charges for carrying a concealed weapon, according to court documents.
The alleged offense occurred Oct. 7, but the charges were not filed until Nov. 30 in the 15th District Court in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The charges are punishable by imprisonment for not more than five years or by a fine not more than $2,500.
Smith, a senior, is being represented by attorney John Shea.
The felony charge was filed Wednesday in an Ann Arbor court, nearly two months after the alleged incident, according to online records. Smith, a 21-year-old team co-captain from Grand Rapids, Michigan, had four tackles and one assist against Indiana on Oct. 8, the next day.
No. 2 Michigan, which is expected to make the four-team College Football Playoff field for a second straight year, is playing Purdue in Indianapolis on Saturday for the Big Ten championship. A message seeking comment was not immediately returned by Smith's attorney.
The 6-foot-3, 337-pound Smith had a tackle and three assists in last weekend's 45-23 victory over Ohio State. He has started in all 26 games for the Wolverines over the past two seasons.
It's unclear how the charge might impact Smith's status for the rest of the season. The second-ranked Wolverines play Purdue in the Big Ten championship on Saturday, and a win will seal their College Football Playoff's berth.
