Three Tennessee Players Arrested For Robbery

Sports News - November 12th, 2009 - Written by John

Lane Kiffin's Tennessee program is back in the headlines. And again, not for the right reasons. Three players from his first recruiting class were arrested Thursday morning for alleged attempted robbery, when the players stopped at a gas station at tried to steal from two people sitting in a car.

Police say at 2 a.m., safety Janzen Jackson, receiver Nu'Keese Richardson, and defensive back Mike Edwards approached an idle vehicle outside a convenience store with a gun and demanded everything they had. The victims of the crime later identified Jackson and Richardson as the men who approached them, who were wearing hooded sweatshirts at the time of the incident. Police later confirmed the weapon was simply a pellet gun, used to intimidate the passengers.

Another suspect, Marie Montmarquet, was also charged as the driver of attempted hold-up. Police found marijuana on her and added possession to the litany of charges.

"At this time we are currently evaluating the circumstances surrounding an incident involving Mike Edwards, Janzen Jackson and Nu'Keese Richardson," Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton responded to questions. "Any decisions or comments regarding their status will not be made until the evaluations are complete."

It's simply more bad news for a program looking to avoid anymore public criticism. Kiffin has been spotlighted ever since his arrival to in Knoxville, bickering with Florida head coach Urban Meyer and scorning league officials. Richardson was actually at the center of his spat with Meyer, when earlier this summer he was on an official visit with the Volunteers and received a call from Meyer. Kiffin, not knowing this was legal practice, roasted Meyer at a booster luncheon for breaking SEC rules. Conference officials were quick to correct the first-year coach and reprimanded him for his actions.

Bloggers have speculated that Richardson was actually considering a transfer after this year due to a dissatisfaction with playing time, but Kiffin quickly denied those thoughts.

Jackson has been a key component to the Vols' defense, but missed last game when he was suspended for violating team rules. It was later leaked that he failed a drug test.

The suspects were identified after the victims told police to look for a light-blue Prius. They said two black males walked up to each side of the car and demanded everything they had on them. When the victims showed empty wallets, Janzen allegedly ran up to them and said "we've got to go."

The Prius was later picked up, and police found an air-powered pellet gun, along with two sweatshirts inside.

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