Knox County Sheriff's Office
Danny O'Brien
Knox County Sheriff's Office
Dontavis Sapp
Knox County Sheriff's Office
A.J. Johnson
Twelve current or former members of the Tennessee football team were among 25 arrested or cited by authorities who broke up a party at an off-campus apartment complex on Sunday morning.
Tennessee football players A.J. Johnson and Danny O’Brien were among seven people arrested; 18 other people were cited for various offenses by Knox County Sheriff’s Office deputies at the Quarry Trail apartment complex.
Former players Dontavis Sapp and Isaac Mobley also were arrested, according to authorities.
Johnson and Sapp, who allegedly hosted the party, were charged with providing alcohol to minors and resisting arrest. Both Johnson and Sapp are 22.
O’Brien, 20, was charged with underage consumption of alcohol, resisting arrest and false impersonation. Authorities said he provided fake identification. Mobley, also 20, was charged with underage alcohol consumption.
All four were released on bond Sunday.
Current players Curtis Maggitt, Jakob Johnson and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, residents of the apartment where the party was held, were issued citations for providing alcohol to minors, according to an incident report.
Current football players Dontavius Blair, Dimarya Mixon, Justin Coleman and Malik Brown — along with former player Daniel Sola — were among 15 people who were issued citations for alleged underage drinking.
A.J. Johnson and Sapp provided “numerous individuals” with alcohol and marijuana at the party, according to arrest warrants. The accompanying incident report notes, “Officers observed marijuana residue in a pipe commonly used to smoke marijuana, along with residue and clippings on a table in one of the bedrooms. The pipe was destroyed by the residents of the apartment as the ownership of the apparent drug paraphernalia could not be determined.”
Neither Johnson nor Sapp was charged with a drug offense.
Residents at the apartment complex told the News Sentinel that at least a dozen Sheriff’s Office cars arrived outside Johnson’s and Sapp’s building just after midnight and appeared to arrest several people.
“The entire parking lot was filled with police cars,” said Gregg Betts, a UT senior who had a view of the scene from his third-floor balcony.
The Sheriff’s Office said deputies first responded to Quarry Trail at 12:02 a.m. in response to a noise complaint. They found a large party of “80-90 people,” including some who appeared under 21.
Sapp assured officers that he would quiet the party, according to the report, but the music was reportedly cranked back up as law enforcement officers were departing. The officers returned to warn those at the party of “the consequences of failing to be quiet.”
Officers returned at 12:37 a.m. in response to a fight in front of the same building in the apartment complex, according to the report.
Officers approached O’Brien, who provided a false identification, according to warrants. The report also said O’Brien “had a very strong odor of alcohol on his breath and became combative” as he was being arrested, but was “subsequently taken into custody after a brief struggle.”
The arrest warrant for Johnson said that he was charged with resisting arrest because he “began pulling away from officers and attempted to leave the scene” when deputies tried to secure him.
None of the current or former players has an arrest record in Knox County, according to records.
Quarry Trail is a student-oriented apartment complex off Cherokee Trail just across Fort Loudoun Lake from UT.
Several residents told the News Sentinel that they didn’t notice any more noise than a typical Saturday night at the apartment complex. At least two residents said they must have slept through the commotion.
Details of the fight that brought deputies to the apartment a second time were unclear, although neighbor Nawaf Alhomoud said there was a “big fight” between two people.
“I went outside the apartment and there were about 25 police cars,” he said.
Betts said one of the combatants appeared to be “bloodied up.”
Betts and his roommates, fellow UT seniors Ben Young and Scott Jewett, said it appeared authorities were searching for one of the combatants in the fight. They said at least one K-9 was on the scene, although they weren’t sure if the dog was there to search for drugs or a suspect, or being used for crowd control.
At least three others were arrested at the same party, according to arrest records. Kadarrius Dorney, 20, and Alphonso Hardin Simmons, 21, both of Knoxville, were charged with underage consumption and resisting arrest. Jayden Ashlee Barrett, 22, was charged with resisting arrest. Barrett is a former Lady Vols softball player.
Neither Dorney nor Simmons are listed as current UT students in the school’s directory.
UT issued a statement Sunday morning saying it was aware of the arrests and was gathering details.
“We have very high standards and expectations within our football program at the University of Tennessee, and appropriate action will be taken,” said the statement from coach Butch Jones.
A.J. Johnson is a linebacker who opted to return to UT for his senior season rather than pursue an NFL career. He has back-to-back seasons with more than 100 tackles and was an All-SEC selection in 2013.
O’Brien is a sophomore defensive tackle from Michigan who played in all 12 games as a reserve last season. Mobley, who has the same address as O’Brien, was a walk-on lineman for the Vols in 2012.
Sapp started all 12 games as a senior in 2013 and was frequently praised by Jones for his leadership and work ethic.
The arrests are believed to be the first of Jones’ tenure as head coach. The last arrest of a UT player was in 2012.
News Sentinel staff writer Hayes Hickman contributed to this report.
Evan Woodbery covers Tennessee football. Follow him at Twitter.com/TennesseeBeat.
Note: Lead was updated to reflect total number of arrests and citations.
Bruce Pearl through the years
Tennessee 82, Auburn 54
Tennessee 70, Missouri 75
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 57
brokebackvol writes:
Here we go...
underthehill writes:
Let us wait and see..I'm hearing it is a minor deal that could have..should have been avoided by both parties...
Plasticman85 writes:
Not a huge deal. We're breaking up a fight between a guy and a girl. Underage consumption by O'brein is the major infraction. Stadium steps at 5:00 AM
Caneoverthere writes:
Come on KNS - WBIR is reporting it was loud music!
northknoxresident#1440439 writes:
The police asked them to turn the music down. They turned it back up before police left. No quicker way to get arrested than to annoy the police. They were warned!
RoadTrip writes:
Setting a great example at 2 AM in the morning - right AJ? How can you lead when you are too busy partying and disobeying police. Ridiculous.
facultyman writes:
Thugs.
jayrokey writes:
Wow! college kids, drinking, partying, loud music...sounds like a typical weekend. Pay the fee and move on.
slb1zellwood#1421797 writes:
Thats not a nice thing to say about these kids even though they were immature in the way they responded to the police. I can assure you that they will be duly rewarded by Butch and their parents for their immature actions in this situation.
Last but not least is the fact that you most most likely was or still are a choir boy and never ever participated in a teenage party of any sort when you were these kids age. If that is true you sure missed out on a lot of fun as a youngster.
Butch and these kids parents I'm 100% sure don't codon this behavior and I'm sure don't want you or anyone else calling their sons are any of these young men thugs.
I'm not lecturing you I'm just responding to your irresponsible post. Hope you are having a good day.
gglardon50#417841 writes:
Once again. Cops are the problem. These are Tennessee football players we are talking about. there are no rules. Throw these cops off the force NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
atnvol#283282 writes:
AJ needs to be thinking about his future....and the NFL takes all things into consideration. As far as I am aware of, AJ has not been into trouble before.
johndavid writes:
We don't need this type of behavior by our athletes and hopefully they can learn from this experience. They are not thugs but they must realize that they are not only doing harm to themselves but also the other members of the football team as well as the thousands of fans who follow them. Another life lesson which of course is not too much fun.
volnsc writes:
Looking at that picture of O'Brien, there is just no way that he would drink a beer.
threehundredbowler writes:
If you call being arrested fun,then I will stay as a choir boy.I am not calling them thugs,just stupid.It seems people need drugs and alcohol before they are having a bragging good time.
I hope they learn from this.As another poster said,it will be Newland steps at 7 am for a couple of days and never be thought of again.
OrangePride writes:
Well........it has been over a year with not even a hint of misconduct. I'm sorry to see these guys involved in this, BUT........let's see what the facts ultimately show and what CBJ does with the information. IF AJ is found guilty of "supplying" underage drinkers, there will need to be disciplinary consequences. If, on the other hand, he simply brought some alcohol to the location and others just helped themselves, then we have a different situation. O'Brien, if guilty of false ID and resisting arrest charge, his punishment will be even more severe. How CBJ deals with this will set the tone for the rest of this team. He can't be so strict as to be totally unfair, but he will need to be firm.
snowpeapod#263184 writes:
Here we go again with everybody jumping to conclusions without any of the facts. That's why we have investigations to determine what the facts are and not what people think they are. I'm quite sure that when all the facts are in that Coach Jones will dole out the proper punishment if necessary.
bUTch__please writes:
No guns involved. Check.
No illegal narcotics. Check.
No sky-blue Prius. Check.
No Grainger county citizens deprived of cheeseburgers. Check.
No one pulled out from beneath a BMW. Check.
I'm good.
Turn down the sound the next time you fellers have a "team-building exercise".
caddy6129 writes:
Had it been in my neighborhood, I would have called the police, but it wasn't near me. It was in a complex which houses mostly UT jocks and students. Late night parties and loud music is expected.
psychovol2 writes:
Stupid is as stupid does. I thought better of AJ Johnson.
mostrevd#1340221 writes:
If UT football players were not involved, this story would not even had made the paper. I know that these men represent the university, but can they not have some kind of personal life that is not scrutinized every second? They are college students. Can they not let go occasionally? Lighten up folks. Give these guys a break. "Let ye that is without sin cast the first stone".
UTANDNOBAMA writes:
Dosent surprise me that AJ got arrested... He is too freakin slow to outrun anyone... Let alone the POPO.
UTANDNOBAMA writes:
It was Blount county residents on the cheeseburgers..... Evan Woodberry is now reporting MariJane was provided to partygoers by Johnson and Sapp. On the brighter side... Opens up two scholarships!
facultyman writes:
Sorry, but I don't buy into your "boys will be boys" response..these are student athlete leaders whom the Vol Nation, including youngsters and new recruits, look up to. We should all expect discipline both on and off the field. That's the simple difference between winners and losers. I know...I played college football.
cltvol writes:
this never would have happened under Gen. Neyland,,,the arrests I mean
Snapshot writes:
"Dosent", what the heck does that mean?
Why don't you say that to AJ in person and see if you can outrun him then!
maciste54 writes:
Must be nice to be holier than thou!!! Typical college behavior. They will get punished. Probably a few games suspension and have to meet expectations of CBJ. That's the way it should be. A second infraction should be treated much more seriously. Dismissal! [And I went to college too btw]
allvol8 writes:
Yes they will be punished...and I agree w/ how you think CBJ will handle this... I wouldn't want to cross him.
MikeNPS writes:
Rather than throw the cops off the force, I suggest we throw you off this board.
magicbyswh#221420 writes:
No narcotics at the party only medical marjuania and alcohol to wet the throat all will work out
Tao_of_Tennessee writes:
According to Early Cuyler;
Pine cones go in here
Party liquor comes out here
and proceeds to here(mouth)
fights are started
finger prints are taken
days are lost
bail in made
court dates are missed
cycle is repeated.
fannotsheep writes:
If not for self righteous people who would like in Knoxville TN? Did anyone ever have a drink before they were 21? When I was 16 (admittedly a long time ago) I bought beer at several Knox County stores and never once had to show an I.D.
College age kids will have a few drinks at a party. They will be stupid when the cops show up because they are young and half-drunk. Now if the two Vols repeat this type of thing it's a different story. I think you get a second chance. In fact all you self righteous types who never told a lie or had a drink or smoked a joint, you might read your Bibles. This one dude named Jesus said something about you guys throwing the first stone and judging not lest you might be judged too. Just sayin'.
threehundredbowler writes:
please don't refere to Jesus as dude. He is a man of great honor and you will someday wish you knew him.He died for you and me and all the world.
fannotsheep writes:
The word dude has no negative context. It was used for humorous effect which is often wasted on self righteous people. I have been to more churches in my life than most people I know of so please don't pretend you know anything about me.
My point is that Jesus looked at the heart of each person and did not hold them to impossible standards. He knew that all humans make mistakes yet he forgave them. He befriended prostitutes and thieves rather than the pious and, if you recall your scriptures, you know he told the criminal who was crucified with him that the two would be together that day in Heaven.
So spare me your condescending b.s. -- and in this crazy, stressed out world in which we live, try to forgive the young people who try to escape their troubles with a drink -- Jesus did after all turn water into wine, not milk, which he could just as easily have done.
To each his own, but if you ask me too many people fail to live while waiting for eternity. I am not crazy about spending it with these types because it would would surely seem an eternity.
dukdynstyluvr writes:
After all of A J Johnson's antics on the football field dancing and throat cutting etc. I am not surprised. He has no discipline.
southernbelle79 writes:
Had the party hosts arranged for safe transportation home for all the partygoers?
I don't care about college age kids drinking or smoking weed. But I do care a lot about them getting behind the wheel while impaired, driving the wrong way on the highway, etc.
I care about thumbing their noses at the cops by turning the music back up before the cops had even left the complex, getting into a fight within 30 minutes of the cops leaving the second time, and resisting arrest. That all speaks to being a good bit more than half drunk and/or a lack of respect for authority.
I hope CBJ makes them sit at least the first half of the first game. The players behavior disrespected team rules which is disrespecting the coach, disrespected their team mates, disrespected the university and fans. But most of all, the involved players disrespected themselves.
oldschoolvol writes:
Hey, at least Tyler Bray wasn't involved!
TommyJack writes:
No rape, no blow, no guns, no murder. Let Butch work it out.
UTANDNOBAMA writes:
Sorry dude... iPads are sometimes a little hard on the spelling. But AJ is slow. He may be faster than me... But he is slower than just about anyone else. Plus he's in jail. He was just fast enough to get into the TV screen about the time the offensive player was doing his touchdown dance. It happened all season.
lonesome_dove writes:
i'm guessing he chose the description of "thugs" because it matches their behavior - they are blasting their music loud enough to draw a complaint to begin with and to bring a visit from KPD. they have such contempt for authority that they don't even wait for the police to leave the parking lot to crank the volume back up. the KPD have to turn right back around and deal with them again and what do they get for their trouble ? verbal abuse, lies and physical resistance when the police are forced to take more control of the situation because these people would not comply with the first request. that's pretty much the definition of thuggish behavior.
psychovol2 writes:
The whole nation will be watching how Butch handles this and I bet you he's spot on just like with everything else. I have full confidence in his judgment and the respective consequences. Could make the first two games really interesting...
Oldhickory writes:
These people are all adults and there is no reason to keep extending childhood to 21 years old with a artificially high legal drinking age that is not effective. During my time at UT, the university would block Melrose for keg parties at the fraternity houses. The legal drinking age needs to be 18 again.
magicbyswh#221420 writes:
So it looks like anyone at the party that was over 21 were cited for allowing people under 21 to have a drink. 80 to 90 at the party how does the football players only get pointed out.
broleb44#1437447 writes:
for crying out loud, you were never out or awake after midnight, read the article, not 2 am. shame on kns for over blowing this.
broleb44#1437447 writes:
you sure do know your football, as a sophomore aj tops in tackles in sec by a linebacker, as a junior #2 in sec.
gc_scvol writes:
Not Smart, but not the end of the world. Just let CBJ handle this. As for the snap judgment on how this should be handled, let it go. I'm sure CJB will gather all the facts and not make a knee jerk decision. Those of you who are so quick to send these kids to hell for a mistake, clean up your own back yard before you go to the neighbors house. I remember reading in a book somewhere that we aren't supposed to judge. It's a best seller, and I believe it to be quite the read.
FWBVol writes:
With each of the social outcasts you mentioned Jesus hanging around with, He also told them to change their behavior.
Yes, he told the religious leaders accusing the woman of adultery that, the one of them without sin had a right to throw the first stone. And they walked away. He then asked the woman, "Where are your accusers." She replied, "There are none." To which Jesus said, "And I don't accuse you either. Go and sin no more."
Jesus told his disciples you are in the world, but not of the world. I can have a good time at parties with friends that aren't Christ Followers without doing the same things they do.
I don't know the circumstances about the incident in question. But I don't buy the boys will be boys either although I understand that logic.
When a kid accepts a scholarship to play college ball they are basically under contract to live by the rules set by their school and team. In essence, you give up some of the so-called rights of being a typical college student when you represent your university.
jakethevolguy writes:
Nothing to see here,,,,move along. Much ado about nothing.
Goodgriefcharliebrown writes:
Pilot University is teflon. Nothing sticks. If this had been in Florida someone would have been shot. Read the news about the loud music trial. Someone must have been annoyed or the police wouldn't have been called. Not every college student is a drunk drug user. Marijuana is still illegal in Tennessee. No tolerance. Boot them all out.
WaitUntilNextYear writes:
Too bad there weren't a bunch of white players there with a rich daddy that was a Republican elected official attending his Baptist Church.
Then it becomes another non-event and never makes the papers.
Why do the racists that write in equate thugs=balck men while white people are what, trash?
Pretty boring compared to fat little frat boys butt-chugging.
Go Vols!
no1djkb#278630 writes:
Hey guys you all pass out your judgments as for me I am going to hope these guys will get a second chance. I understand that these guys are football players and have a responsibility to the team and the university but they are still young guys in college. I know I made some mistakes when I was young and thank God I did handle my situation better than these guys did. All they had to do was turn the music down. It was really stupid. I turned the music down every time I was asked to do so. Honestly guys, cops don't want to arrest anyone young like these guys. Hey they partied like these guys did. I was cool with a lot of cops back in the day. Made a lot of mix tapes for cops guys when I DJ in college:).
The real problem is kids have no respect for authority figures. These guys are not thugs or hood rats. I was raised in North Nashville back in the 80's and I am not a thug or hood. I think it is up to the parents and coaches to teach these guys how to show respect for people, especially cops. These guys risk their lives every time they put on that badge. I will close in saying this, saying yes sir, no sir, yes ma'am and no ma'am goes a long way.
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