ANN ARBOR (WWJ) - University of Michigan football star Mazi Smith was found with a handgun and 15 to 30 bullets in his pick up truck when he was pulled over for speeding two months ago, court records revealed.
As complied by MLive, Ann Arbor Police Det. Jon McDonagh provided sworn testimony about the traffic stop conducted in early Oct. which ultimately led to Smith's felony weapons charge nearly two months later.
McDonagh told a Washtenaw District Court magistrate last week that Smith was pulled over in his Dodge Ram around 9:34 a.m. on Oct. 7 for driving more than 50 miles per hour in a 25 miles per hour zone in a neighborhood near King George Boulevard and Lockridge Drive.
As the police officer approached the truck to speak with Smith, the officer observed him moving a Glock 19 handgun behind his seat, court records via MLive detailed. Smith immediately confirmed his name with the officer and told him that he owned the gun.
Smith then exited the vehicle at the officer's request without incident when the officer found the 30-round magazine and a 15-round magazine in Smith’s pockets, records show, in addition to the gun and the 24-round magazine.
“His gun was not loaded in his vehicle,” Smith’s attorney John Shea told Mlive of the incident. “The police report clearly says that the magazines were found separate and apart from the handgun itself.”
According to McDonagh, Smith told the detective that he had moved the weapon to the backseat to "get it off his person." As outlined by court documents, the officer the found out that Smith did not have a concealed pistol license.
The gun was purchased legally, court documents showed, and was registered to Smith.
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The judge agreed with the officer that Smith's arrest was justified due to "probable cause." Smith was taken into custody, but released later on Oct. 7 with a pending felony weapons charge with the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office.
Smith was charged on Nov. 30 for carrying a concealed weapon. The felony charge could carry a punishment of up to five years in prison and a $2,500 if convicted.
Shea said during Smith's Dec. 1 arraignment that the football player had applied for and was waiting on his concealed carry permit at the time of his arrest.
The magistrate allowed Smith to travel out of the state for Michigan's Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis on Dec. 3 on a personal recognizance bond.
In statements released Dec. 1, Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh and Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel acknowledged the charges and said that Smith "will continue to participate as a member of the team" as the judicial process plays out.
Harbaugh said that his "respect for our judicial process ... brings confidence that a fair and just resolution is forthcoming. Mazi’s character and the trust that he has earned over the past four years will continue to be considered throughout the process."
Smith had played in 12 games for No. 2 Michigan, including its win over Indiana the day after the alleged incident occurred. A potential first-round pick in the NFL Draft, he also starred in the Wolverines' win over Ohio State.
"Mazi was honest, forthcoming and cooperative from the very beginning and is a tremendous young man," said Manuel. "He is not and never has been considered a threat to the University or community."
According to court records, Smith is due back in district court for a probable cause conference at 9 a.m. on Dec. 8.