Marijuana Policy Project

Two UF athletes, one a football player, the other on the basketball team, were arrested during a Gainesville Police Department narcotics sting operation Monday, according to arrest reports.

Sophomore running back Brandon James and sophomore guard Brandon Powell were taken to the Alachua County Jail on charges of purchasing and possessing marijuana, according to the reports.

The reports state that James and Powell paid a police informant $20 in exchange for about .8 grams of marijuana.

The purchasing charge is a third-degree felony, while the possession charge is a first-degree misdemeanor.

Both players contributors in UF's national championship football and basketball teams have been suspended indefinitely, Athletics Director Jeremy Foley said in a statement Tuesday.

"We are aware of the situation and understand the severity of its nature. This is not something we take lightly," Foley said in the statement. "Both coaches have informed me that the players involved have been suspended indefinitely, and we will continue to follow the procedures in addressing this."

According to his arrest report, Powell spoke with the informant via telephone and agreed to meet at 1402 NW 39th Drive in Gainesville. Both James and Powell handled the marijuana before police approached the pair. James dropped the marijuana on the ground as the arrest team moved in, according to the report. The transaction was recorded by microphones and cameras.

Both have been released from custody, said Todd Stewart, a shift supervisor at the Alachua County Jail.

James was UF's primary kick returner last year and was vying for a starting role in the Gators' backfield this season.

The 5-foot-6 tailback compiled a school-record 157 punt-return yards against Western Carolina last year. Powell received sparse playing time as a freshman on the basketball team last year. He made headlines last season after punching a Vanderbilt student who stormed the court following a game in Nashville, though he was never openly punished for the incident.

James' arrest is one of several recent off-the-field incidents for UF's football team.

Offensive lineman Ronnie Wilson is facing felony charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly firing a gun outside a Gainesville nightclub in April.

Linebacker Dustin Doe was arrested for participating in a brawl in a nightclub parking lot, also in April, though those charges have since been dropped.

Safety Dorian Munroe was charged with felony theft in May after reportedly removing a police "boot" from one of his car's tires and placing it in his trunk.

Former UF cornerback Avery Atkins, who was granted a release from the school last summer, was arrested last Friday after police found marijuana, cocaine and a firearm in his car. After a brief stint at Bethune-Cookman, Atkins had re-enrolled in classes at UF last spring, hoping to get permission to rejoin the Gators football team.