A grand jury has indicted former Ohio State star tailback Maurice Clarett on charges of robbing a man and a woman behind a downtown Columbus bar. Police say Clarett flashed a gun early on the morning of January first, taking a cell phone, then leaving with two men in an S-U-V.
Maurice Clarett once had the promise of pro-football career but now faces a possible 25 years in prison. Franklin County prosecutor Ron O'Brien announced the former Buckeye's indictment.
"An indictment was filed against Maurice Edward Clarett that charges two counts of aggravated robbery with a gun specification. There are four counts of robbery which is a lesser included offense of aggravated robbery. The final count - it's a 7 count indictment - is carrying a concealed weapon," O'Brien said.
O'Brien says Clarett could only be convicted on two of the six robbery charges because there are only two alleged victims. He describes the additional counts as "back-up charges." Clarett scored the final touchdown in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl in a double overtime upset of top-ranked Miami. But he was suspended for the entire 2003 season for accepting illegal benefits and misleading NCAA investigators. Now 22, Clarett turned himself in following this year's Ohio State Fiesta Bowl victory. He posted a $50,000 bond the next day. O'Brien says he's satisfied that Clarett would appear for arraignment.
"Following our normal procedure we are not issuing an arrest warrant in this case, we have requested a clerk to issue a summons for an arraignment that is scheduled for February 24th at 1 p.m.," O'Brien said.
O'Brien says Clarett, who was selected by the Denver Broncos in 2004 but released from the team before the start of the season, is not being treated differently than others. If convicted on the most serious counts he faces a maximum 25 years in prison. The men believed to be with Clarett during the alleged robbery have not been identified. Sam Hendren, WOSU News.