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November 12, 2009

Brent Hubbs
Rivals.com College Football Editor

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee football coach Lane Kiffin, just two days before an important SEC game at Ole Miss, is dealing with his first off-the-field incident involving players he recruited.

True freshmen Janzen Jackson, Nu'Keese Richardson and Mike Edwards were arrested this morning just after 2 a.m. and charged with attempted armed robbery.

According to the police incident report, Edwards and Richardson approached a parked car in the parking lot of the Pilot at 2218 Cumberland Ave. Here is the excerpt from the incident report:

The victims stated that moments before calling 911, they were sitting in their parked vehicle, a 1998 Hyundai Elantra on the southwest corner of the convenience store, while their friend was inside. The victims stated they had parked next to a light blue Toyota Prius. The victims stated that a black male then approached, wearing a black hoodie, brandished a black semi-auto handgun, opened the drivers door and stated, "Give me everything you have." The victims stated that a black male then exited from the passenger side of the Prius, wearing a black hoodie, walked around to the front passenger door of their car, opened it, and stated, "Give us everything you've got." The victims stated that they all presented their wallets to the suspects and showed them that they did not have money. The victims stated that a third black male then approached and told the other two black males, "We've got to go." The victims then stated that the three got into the Prius and that it was last seen traveling southbound on Volunteer Blvd West.

As the officers received information about the suspects and vehicle, it was bolod so that other responding officers could attempt to locate it. A witness indicated there was a female driving the car and that it was occupied by three black males when she had observed it. As we continued to investigate, assisting officers observed the suspect vehicle in question, traveling near Gibbs Hall on Lake Loudoun Blvd. A felony stop was conducted on the vehicle, a 2010 Toyota Prius, light blue in color, on Neyland Dr near Leinard Ln. Four subjects were detained from the vehicle: a light-skinned black female, Marie Montmarquet and three black males: Janzen Jackson, Michael Edwards and Nukeese Richardson.

In plain view, officers observed two black hoodies on the back seat. Underneath the back seat towards the middle, officers located a black, CO2 powered pellet gun. Inside the glove box, officers located a marijuana grinder. A search of the suspects revealed one clear plastic baggie containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana in Montmarquet's jacket pocket. Montmarquet would later state that the marijuana grinder also belonged to her. Crime Lab responded to the scene and confiscated the hoodies, the pellet gun and the marijuana grinder. The vehicle was towed to the City Impound lot. The marijuana was confiscated by officers.

Jackson was suspended for last week's game against Memphis for reportedly failing a drug test as well as off-the-field immaturity. Richardson had made it known for the last couple of weeks that he was unhappy with his lack of playing time and missed the Vols' Sunday practice the day after the team's win against South Carolina.

Tennessee athletics director Mike Hamilton issued a statement this morning saying he was looking into the incident.

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

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