CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) Miami running back Mark Walton was arrested Saturday on suspicion of driving under the influence and was suspended indefinitely from the team shortly thereafter.
Officer Kenia Fallat, a Miami police spokeswoman, told The Associated Press that Walton may face other charges. Walton was going through the booking process Saturday and it was unclear when he would make his initial court appearance or if he retained an attorney.
Meanwhile, the DUI citation could be only part of Walton’s legal issues going forward. A person familiar with the situation told the AP that Walton was also under investigation for impersonating a law enforcement officer, a third-degree felony in Florida. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the probe was continuing.
”We are aware of the situation regarding Mark Walton and we have taken immediate action by suspending him from the team,” Miami athletic director Blake James said in a statement released by the university.
Walton led Miami with nine rushing touchdowns and 10 total touchdowns as a true freshman last season, plus topped the Hurricanes with 300 kickoff return yards. He had a key role in Miami’s most memorable play of 2015, the eight-lateral kickoff return as time expired for the game-winning touchdown at Duke.
His arrest comes one week after Miami’s spring game, after which Hurricanes coach Mark Richt urged his players to help each other stay out of trouble and avoid negative headlines.
Walton is a Miami native who starred at Booker T. Washington High. He finished his high school career with 45 touchdowns and chose the Hurricanes over offers from Auburn, Florida State, Tennessee and South Carolina, among others.
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