Florida State receiver faces charge for concealed gun

By Brian Landman, Times Staff Writer
In print: Wednesday, April 23, 2008

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Florida State star receiver Preston Parker was arrested by Palm Beach Gardens police late Monday and charged with carrying a concealed, loaded .45-caliber automatic handgun (a felony) and possession of 4.81 grams of marijuana (a misdemeanor).

He posted $5,000 bond and was released at about 1 p.m. Tuesday. According to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records, Parker, 21, a rising junior from Delray Beach Atlantic High, had no prior arrests.

"We are aware of Preston's arrest and are gathering the facts of the situation," FSU athletic director Randy Spetman said in a statement. "We have an Athletics Code of Conduct/Discipline Policy in place … (and) we will handle the situation according to that policy."

The policy states that a student-athlete facing a felony, absent "extraordinary circumstances" as determined by the administration, can't represent the school in a game until the charge is resolved and all court, university and athletic department conditions for reinstatement have been met.

Parker was driving with three others in his car when police stopped him shortly before 11 p.m. The officer said he smelled marijuana, saw "several pieces of suspected marijuana on the floorboards," then searched the car, according to the probable cause affidavit.

The search turned up the gun wedged under the floorboard on the right, passenger seat, which Parker said was his, and that he "always kept it there," the affidavit said. A baggy of what turned out to be 4.81 grams of marijuana was with the gun, though Parker "denied knowing anything about" the drug.

Brian Landman can be reached at landman@sptimes.com.