Thompson arrested for possession in Gainesville

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Deonte Thompson was arrested Friday night for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia after a car he was a passenger in was pulled over for driving without headlights.

Though Thompson claimed ownership of a duffle bag that was in the car, he denied that the contents of it – 29 grams of marijuana found inside a number of small pouches – were his. The driver, Alvon Summerall, and other passenger, Erskine McKinley, both claimed ownership of the marijuana inside the bag.

All three were arrested for possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Thompson was held in Alachua County Jail on $7,000 bond but has since been released.

Just one month earlier on Jan. 27, the former Florida Gators pass catcher was cited with fines totaling $450 after Gainesville Police pulled him over for speeding in a school zone (20-29 miles per hour).

More concerning than Thompson’s most recent arrest is the company he was keeping on Friday evening. According to WUFT.com, McKinley has served three years in prison for a number of crimes “including two attempted murders, shooting, illegally owning a weapon or ammo and robbery, according to Florida Department of Corrections records.”

McKinley was also named by witnesses in October 2010 for allegedly taking part in a drive by shooting in Belle Glade, FL, Thompson’s hometown, though “prosecutors did not pursue a series of charges … [including] first-degree murder with a gun, two counts of attempted murder, grand theft and illegally owning a gun.” Just one year later, he was found guilty of battery on a law enforcement officer.

In his two NFL seasons, Thompson has totaled 15 receptions for 147 yards for Baltimore while primarily serving as a back-up at both receiver and kick returner. He is entering the final season of a three-year, $1.44 million contract and is set to earn $571,334 should the Ravens retain him for 2014.

“We are aware of the situation,” Baltimore team spokesman Chad Steele told The Baltimore Sun. “We are gathering more facts. There are two sides to every story.”