When Kansas State earned a commitment from Lee’s Summit (Mo.) West High defensive end Jamone Boyd, Wildcats coach Bill Snyder knew he was landing one of the best defensive linemen in the Class of 2013. What he didn’t realize was that he was also getting a commitment from a player who would turn out to be a criminal.
As reported by Kansas City NBC affiliate KSHB, Boyd was arrested and charged with five counts of first degree robbery and armed criminal action, dating to a crime in January. Boyd allegedly turned himself in to authorities on Sunday after he was identified by the victims of the robbery. As an 18-year-old, Boyd could face full penalties for armed robbery in Missouri, which would carry a minimum sentence of 10 years per count, a total of 50 years imprisonment for the robbery.
Naturally, the arrest was stunning just two days before Boyd was expected to sign a scholarship to play football at Kansas State. The 6-foot-4 defensive end was recruited by schools throughout the SEC, Big Ten and Big XII as well as Washington State.
Those schools were apparently not dissuaded from recruiting the defensive end despite a disturbing November incident in which he was arrested for marijuana possession and reacted so aggressively that he had to be tased by police officers.
Prosecutors requested a $150,000 bond for Boyd’s release, due in part to the violent nature of the January robbery. According to KSHB, Boyd and his accomplices allegedly struck victims in the back of the head with a pistol and were aggressively shoved to the floor.
Kansas State didn’t list Boyd as one of the signees for the school’s incoming recruiting class on Wednesday during traditional National Signing Day ceremonies. One would assume he won’t be playing for the Wildcats anytime soon, either.
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