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AUSTIN, Texas - Texas running back Ramonce Taylor, who scored a touchdown in the Longhorns' Rose Bowl win over Southern California, was arrested Sunday by sheriff's deputies who said they found about 5 pounds of marijuana in a backpack in his car.
Deputies also found a live 40-caliber round of ammunition in the console of the vehicle, Sheriff Dan Smith said.
The 20-year-old Taylor faces a second-degree felony for possession of marijuana over five pounds. That could be punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Formal charges had not yet been filed. Taylor remained in custody in the Bell County Jail and was to be arraigned Monday. It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer.
Taylor had been excused from spring practice in March to focus on academics and had not participated in any team functions since, Longhorns coach Mack Brown said.
"We are aware of this recent situation and will follow it as the legal system runs its course. At this time, we will not consider reinstating him to the team," Brown said.
According to the arrest report, deputies responded to a report of a large fight involving as many as 100 people at a pecan farm in Little River, a community about 40 miles from Austin. Deputies also said they received a call from someone who had been at the fight and complained that a window on his vehicle had been broken. That caller turned out to be Taylor.
While interviewing Taylor at a convenience store, deputies were told by other officers at the fight scene that Taylor had been involved and had threatened to return with a gun. Taylor was placed in handcuffs.
Taylor told deputies he didn't have a gun and gave them permission to search his vehicle. Deputies reported finding the bullet and the backpack with the marijuana.
One of Texas' most versatile players, Taylor scored 15 touchdowns last season, including a 30-yard scoring run in the Rose Bowl, which Texas won 41-38. The win gave Texas its first outright national championship since 1969.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Deputies also found a live 40-caliber round of ammunition in the console of the vehicle, Sheriff Dan Smith said.
The 20-year-old Taylor faces a second-degree felony for possession of marijuana over five pounds. That could be punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Formal charges had not yet been filed. Taylor remained in custody in the Bell County Jail and was to be arraigned Monday. It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer.
Taylor had been excused from spring practice in March to focus on academics and had not participated in any team functions since, Longhorns coach Mack Brown said.
"We are aware of this recent situation and will follow it as the legal system runs its course. At this time, we will not consider reinstating him to the team," Brown said.
According to the arrest report, deputies responded to a report of a large fight involving as many as 100 people at a pecan farm in Little River, a community about 40 miles from Austin. Deputies also said they received a call from someone who had been at the fight and complained that a window on his vehicle had been broken. That caller turned out to be Taylor.
While interviewing Taylor at a convenience store, deputies were told by other officers at the fight scene that Taylor had been involved and had threatened to return with a gun. Taylor was placed in handcuffs.
Taylor told deputies he didn't have a gun and gave them permission to search his vehicle. Deputies reported finding the bullet and the backpack with the marijuana.
One of Texas' most versatile players, Taylor scored 15 touchdowns last season, including a 30-yard scoring run in the Rose Bowl, which Texas won 41-38. The win gave Texas its first outright national championship since 1969.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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