An Alabama football player was arrested after he allegedly knowingly transmitted a sexually transmitted disease after a report was filed last week.
Crimson Tide offensive lineman Elijah Pritchett, 19, was arrested on Wednesday night and charged with the Class C misdemeanor crime and will be tried as a youthful offender.
A spokeswoman for the Tuscaloosa Police Department confirmed that a report was filed against Pritchett last week, which led to his arrest, the Tuscaloosa Thread reported.
Pritchett was released later released on a $500 bond and it is unclear exactly which STD he allegedly passed as few details have been revealed due to the nature of the charge and legal protections.
Nick Saban, the head coach of the football team and the University of Alabama, has yet to release a statement on the incident.
Crimson Tide offensive lineman Elijah Pritchett, 19, after he allegedly knowingly transmitted a sexually transmitted disease after a report was filed last week
Pritchett, 19, was arrested on Wednesday night and charged with the Class C misdemeanor crime and will be tried as a youthful offender
Nick Saban, the head coach of the football team and the University of Alabama have yet to release a statement on the incident
In the state of Alabama, there is a specific penalty known as AL Code § 22-11A-21, which states: ‘Any person afflicted with a sexually transmitted disease who shall knowingly transmit, or assume the risk of transmitting, or do any act which will probably or likely transmit such disease to another person shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.’
Pritchett could potentially face up to three months in prison and a fine for the charge. He was also granted youthful offender status, which is when those aged 18 to 21 can’t be tried as an adult in court.
He was granted the status by a Tuscaloosa judge and is now able to get a lighter sentence and waive his right to a jury trial. There will also be no criminal conviction and records of the case will be sealed from the public.
He was released on bond just days before Crimson Tide is set to leave for the College Football Playoff semifinal game in California, also known as the Rose Bowl Game.
The game will take place on January 1 between the University of Alabama and the University of Michigan.
Pritchett could potentially face up to three months in prison and a fine for the charge. He was also granted youthful offender status, which is when those aged 18 to 21 can’t be tried as an adult in court
He was released on bond just days before Crimson Tide is set to leave for the College Football Playoff semifinal game in California, also known as the Rose Bowl Game
According to AL.com, Pritchett was previously stopped for driving 95 mph in a 65 mph zone. He told the officer that he know he was speeding and pleaded guilty.
A month later he had to attend a four hour defensive driving course, complete 10 hours of community service and pay $197 in court fees.
His case was later dismissed on September 5 and the university has not publicly punished Pritchett.
He arrived at the school in 2022 and has played a total of 13 games this season for Crimson Tide.
Bama Central reported that he planned to enter the transfer portal, but in a statement released on Saturday he announced that transferring ‘was not in his best interest’ and that he would remain on the Alabama team.
He has been ranked as the fourth-ranked offensive tackles in his class and the 34th player internationally.
It is unclear if Pritchett’s new charge will effect the team in the upcoming semifinal game or if he will play.
Since Alabama’s Crimson Tide was established in 1892, the team has appeared in 75 Rose Bowl games.
Nick Saban was hired as the head coach in 2007 and has gone on to lead the college team to 15 Rose Bowl games in his 12 seasons with Alabama.
Earlier this month, Crimson Tide won the SEC after securing a nail-biting victory over No. 1 ranked Georgia in Atlanta – ending the Bulldogs’ hopes of three straight national championships.
Pritchett has been ranked as the fourth-ranked offensive tackles in his class and the 34th player internationally
The Crimson Tide has won a total of 30 conference championships in the program’s history
Alabama won the SEC after securing a nail-biting victory over No 1 ranked Georgia in Atlanta on December 2
Kirby Smart’s side was the No. 1 ranked team in the country after amassing a 29-game winning streak heading into Saturday’s SEC Championship Game.
But the Crimson Tide came from behind to secure a 27-24 victory, with quarterback Jalen Milroe leading Alabama to victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
It was Georgia’s first loss since the 2021 SEC Championship game, when the Bulldogs were beaten by Alabama once more.
This victory secured Nick Saban’s side a third SEC title in four years – and its eighth championship since 2012.
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