Two Texas A&M players suspended after arrests
11:06 AM CST on Thursday, December 6, 2007
By BRIAN DAVIS / The Dallas Morning News
Two Texas A&M football players have been suspended from the team after their arrests Wednesday in connection with an alleged armed robbery that occurred at an off-campus apartment complex Nov. 29.
Yemi Babalola, a starting offensive lineman from Bryan, Texas, was charged with aggravated robbery and possession of less than two ounces of marijuana. Aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony and is punishable from five to 99 years in prison and a maximum $10,000 fine.
Brandon Joiner, a defensive end from Killeen, Texas, was charged with possession of less than two ounces of marijuana. Joiner also was charged with possession of one to four ounces of the drug known as "Ecstasy" and possession of less than 28 grams of hydrocodone.
"When Coach [Gary] Darnell called last night to inform me of the charges, he and I agreed that these young men need to be suspended from the football team," Texas A&M athletic director Bill Byrne said in a statement. "They will remain suspended until cleared of any wrongdoing."
According to a College Station police report, officers responded to an armed robbery call at the Callaway Villas Apartments. A resident said two black men entered the apartment and struck the person who opened the door.
A second resident ran upstairs and escaped through a window. The first resident and a friend were bound with tape while one of the assailants pointed a semi-automatic handgun in their faces.
Several small items were taken, and the intruders fled on foot. One resident reported minor bruises to his face, the report said.