JACKSON, Miss. — A Mississippi football signee with a history of legal trouble faces an uncertain future after he was arrested on charges he assaulted a man at a McDonald’s drive-through with brass knuckles.
Starkville police arrested Jamar Hornsby on March 1 and charged him with felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor petit larceny after he and two fellow East Mississippi Community College teammates allegedly assaulted the man.
The 22-year-old Hornsby is already on probation after taking a plea deal in a misdemeanor credit card fraud case that occurred while he was on the University of Florida football team. Hornsby signed a national letter of intent with the Rebels in February, but his future with the team is now uncertain.
“We are looking into the matter and trying to gather all the facts,” Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt said Monday. “Once all the facts are in, I will make a decision.”
Hornsby, a safety, was expected to compete immediately for a starting job with the Rebels, who had depth issues in the secondary last season. But an early morning fender-bender could change all of that.
Starkville police Det. Maurice Johnson said Hornsby, Darrell Simmons and Robert Jordan were arrested around 2:15 a.m. March 1 after an unidentified man rear-ended his vehicle as both waited for service.
Johnson said the drivers of each car spoke briefly. One of the three football players then took something from the victim, and Hornsby attacked the victim shortly after.
The victim, whose name is being withheld for his own protection, went to the hospital with unspecified injuries.
Johnson said that the victim and Hornsby did not know each other, and that the attack was related to the accident.
Hornsby is free after posting $15,500 bond and faces up to 20 years in prison on the aggravated assault charge alone. He also likely violated his probation by possessing brass knuckles, which are illegal. He faces up to four years in prison if he fails to complete probation.
An attorney for Hornsby did not immediately return a phone message left Monday.
Florida state attorney Bill Cervone said Hornsby could be headed to prison if it’s determined that he violated probation there.
Police arrested Hornsby in May 2007 on felony charges of improper use of a credit card after he made nearly 70 fraudulent charges on the gas card of a Florida student who died in a motorcycle accident six months earlier. The state attorney’s office later reduced the charges to misdemeanors, but not before Hornsby was dismissed from the football team.
He accepted a plea deal in December on four misdemeanor charges and avoided jail time. He was ordered to pay nearly $9,000 in restitution and court costs. The judge also ordered him to tour the Florida State Prison in Raiford and write an essay about his experiences.
At the time of the plea deal, Cervone said: “I hope the defendant understands the harm he’s created that goes far beyond just using somebody’s credit card under these circumstances.”
He said Monday in a phone interview with The Associated Press from his Gainesville office that it is “always disappointing” when a person given a second chance through a plea deal is arrested again.
Hornsby was expected to join the Rebels after graduating from EMCC later this year. The school is located in Scooba, which is near Starkville.
Hornsby played one season with the Gators before being dismissed. He played in eight games and had five tackles, but was suspended for five games for selling his complimentary tickets, a violation of NCAA rules.
He had 111 tackles and two interceptions this season for EMCC and was named the MVP of the Mississippi junior college northern region.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 59
spencer1989#206886 writes:
He was accused fo using brass knuckles in a drive thru? Now that must be one serious Big mac attack!!!
spencer1989#206886 writes:
Ooops....My typos...I was having a Big Mac attack too...lol
HtownVol writes:
Some people just dont get it. Throw away a good education for this junk. He was not loved enough as a child. If he was a Gator he would not get kicked off the team.
HtownVol writes:
Sorry, I totally screwed that up. I meant I am surprised he got kicked of the team when he was a Gator. I thought that stuff was allowed there.
RUSTYVOLS77 writes:
This is the same kid who while playing for the Gators stole a credit card from the girlfriend of a teamate who had passed away. This isn't just a bad kid, this guy is scum.
spencer1989#206886 writes:
Maybe Nutt is going to have to "review the film". My bad, but just had to say it!! lol
DennisVols writes:
Agree totally
What is to question here. This kid has just blown his last opportunity and should be dismissed not only from the team but also from the school.
What is the line at Ole Miss you have to cross if this does not get you thrown off the team?
odtn#267368 writes:
Using the finger golden arches to serve billions of knuckle sandwiches, I see.
kman29 writes:
You think Florida allows that stuff under Meyer? LOL! Don't mistake Urban Meyer for the push the incident under the rug Phil Fulmer. Meyer does not play around with these kids or play favorites no matter their position as a starter or backup.
Players kicked off by Meyer:
Jacques Rickerson CB (2008) Was a starting CB for the 2007 team.
Cam Newton QB (2008) Backup QB.
Jamar Hornsby (2008) back up safety.
Ronnie Wilson (OL) (2007) Starting offensive guard.
Marcus Thomas (DT) (2006) All SEC starting DT.
Jon Demps (2006) All every LB recruit
Avery Atkins (2006) Back up CB and 5 star recruit in 05. (later died).
Dewayne Grace (2005) 5 star CB recruit in 04.
Those are just the ones off the top of my head. There are a couple others I can't think of. But contrary to what some opposing fans want to believe, Meyer puts down the hammer on these kids. Whether your an all conference player, starter, top rated recruit, whatever...dont embarrass the program and if you do, your gone.
cjraney writes:
Who was the UF player that fired an AR-style or AK-47 rifle at his apt complex? I know he got back on the team but has he since been dismissed?
kman29 writes:
Marcus Thomas failed 2 drug tests for marijuana. The first one he was suspended to start the season, the second one was the begining of November and he was kicked off the team. So no, he did not play in the National title game, the SEC championship game, the FSU game ect..And in that situation I see nothing wrong with what Meyer did. He failed a drug test. Suspended him, gave him a chance to fix himself up and he didnt and failed again. Then Meyer said goodbye.
As for Tony Joiner. He clearly committed a felony huh? Were you there? Was he convicted in a court of law of committing a felony? No! All I know is the owner of the car impound said things were cool and it was a misunderstanding. Maybe the guy is a huge gator fan and didnt want to press charges...I don't know. But fact remains it was his choice whether or not to and he didn't and charges were dropped. Meyer suppose to kick off a kid who has never been in trouble in his 4 years there on something he didnt even get charged for?
golfballs03 writes:
How are people like this even in college? Will one kid from Mississippi get rejected from Ole Miss because someone like this was accepted instead? You know there is someone on that team more deserving of a scholarship, even before this happened. Huston Nutt and Ole Miss better have higher standards than that.
jsm67vol writes:
Your last sentence says it all about your knowledge level. When Ed O was fired from Ole piss where was his next job? Uhmmm, the NFL. When Huston lost his Nutt in Ark, where was his next job? Ole piss, a lateral move if ever there was one. Who was after Ed O when the Vols hired him? LSU, UT and I believe the Saints had offered him a promotion (not sure about the saints.) My point is, to say that Nutt is miles ahead of Ed O is ludicrus. To say that Ed O recruited "run of the mill recruiting classes" is even a bigger joke. Time will tell I guess. You gave your opinion of Nutt, now here's mine. After Ed O's recruits are gone, Nutt will have ole piss in the same place he had ark just about every year- the middle of the pack in the SEC W.
kman29 writes:
gatorzz...yeah I know. I pretty muched showed that with my post. But rival fans always come back with the "notorious" Tony Joiner non charged/non convicted incident. LOL!
I guess if thats the best they got, Meyer must be running a pretty good program.
dvhill100 writes:
Bottom line: This kid had a golden opportunity to do something with himself and not only didn't, but went backwards. You can take the kid off the street, but you can't take the street off the kid.
As for all the back and forth on your thugs are worse than our thugs, lets face it, with the exception of Vandy, no one should be throwing stones. We all live in glass houses.
kman29 writes:
Yes there was a conspiracy in it just so he could play against Tennessee. LOL! But kicked off for "lesser" games such as the SEC title game and the National Title game.
Got to love that logic.
dvhill100 writes:
I don't think anyone would not say some coaches won't have the ability to be a HC, and can excel as a position coach.
Ed O certainly didn't set the world on fire as the HC at Ole Miss. He obviously reached his Peter Principle. That takes nothing away from his expertise as a defensive line coach and recruiter. Ole Miss did show great improvement in the recruiting classes from Ed O. Certainly, you have to give Nutt full credit for getting the most out of those players. He has a well deserved rep for doing that.
kman29 writes:
he was convicted in a bar fight in 2003 while at West Virginia. Along with numerous other convictions while in highschool, but because of being a minor those records are sealed.
So try again!
hotrodvol writes:
NutterButter, that's pretty funny right there i don't care who you are!!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
I didn't even see where they had scheduled the 'loper convention.
TJ must be slipping or he would have alerted us.
kman29 writes:
LOL! WOW! Leave it to UT fans to take an article regarding a current Mississippi player who Meyer kicked off after (one arrest) and turn it into about Meyers lack of discipline and now its about Gator fans being worried oh no I mean scared that Meyer will bolt to the NFL or Notre Dame? LOL! Alright!
You all can seriously go off on some tangents. But thank goodness we have people like you that can target our fears and what we are "truely" worried about when replying to this article. What a moron! LOL!
Colliervol writes:
All you have to do is look at Nutt's track record at Arkansas. If the offender was a 4th string OT, he'd be kicked off the team. If the offender (and repeat offender I might add) was all-SEC (like Cedric Cobb and Ken Hamlin), it was slap on the wrist time. Fortunately, it sounds like the authorities will make the decision on this thug for him and he won't have much of a choice.
kman29 writes:
Ok, so let me understand this. Your going to compare Tony Joiner to Adam Jones?
Tony Joiner: Never been in trouble in 4 years at UF. Then had 1 incident regarding a vehical in a car impound. But was never charged or convicted.
Adam Jones: Arrested multiple times in highschool. Arrested and convicted of a bar fight while at West Virginia. Arrested multiple times while in the NFL.
How you compare the two guys is beyond me. Joiner (1 incident in his entire life) Jones (1,000 script club incidents and has been convicted). I believe in giving 2nd chances, but 50? 60? umm a little different no matter being charged or not.
Volfan1 writes:
Gatorzz,
It would be nice if you had your history right. Thomas was suspended for a cupcake game BEFORE the Tennessee game, played against UT that was a squeaker for UF, suspended again for two games against poor Kentucky & Alabama teams for the SAME failed drug test, then BROUGHT BACK for BIG games against LSU, Auburn, and Georgia.
Finally, he missed a drug class. Meyer had gone through the meat of the schedule and was "forced" to finally kick him off. Weak sisters Vandy, SCarolina, W.Carolina, & a bad FSU team were all that were left. Meyer probably figured he could get through those.
As Walter Cronkite said, "And that's the way it is..."
smokyredbone writes:
Same reason your chumps stole the textbooks!!! I-G-N-O-R-A-N-T!!!!!!!!!!
smokyredbone writes:
Meyer,Gatorj--- & Tebiatch
3=3=3
Notice who the pivot man is!!!!!!
murrayvol writes:
I think he's already been kicked off (or given an opportunity to resign) the Gator team once. Perhaps he'll get a second chance if he can score double secret probation.
murrayvol writes:
He may have a future in a remake of "The Longest Yard".
huntined#565710 writes:
Hey guys, Every Coach in the SEC would and NUTT will can this guy.. and they should.. This guy would get other players in trouble for just hanging out with him.. And we all can say what about this player or that player on any team..truth is we all trust our Coaches to do the right thing and to be honest here I think they do..No school can afford to have their program drawn down by one player..The Coaches know that..and we do too..I am just glad this dude was not a VOL..
Ironcity writes:
Instead of the word "usually" I think you should substitute "sometimes".
huntined#565710 writes:
Hold on GATORZZ,,You can't go there with that junk or you would have to include your coach that has direct control over his kid and she messed up..And just because Johnson did date rape don't mean MEYER did that...The real problem with football today is the FACT that we have a different BREED today..They are treated as GODS in high school and a lot of them have little or no direction at home..They see these PROS that do everything and get by with it and they see themselves the same way..
GerryOP writes:
Catfish, you're absolutely correct to show concern about who is molding these kids into adults. And these reports only go back 4-5 years ... no need to go back to '91 and '92.
http://chaddscott.com/cfb/urbanblight...
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/12...
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/spo...
http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/spo...
How about responsibility for molding his own kid?
http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbc...
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/37...
And here we see the results of that molding:
http://drunkathlete.com/2008/09/08/ti...
utmdm writes:
50 post on first page. 1/3 of them lopers. Cannot accuse KNS with a lack of southern hospitality.
utmdm writes:
I guess not many are surprised by the latest turn of events surrounding this young man.
utmdm writes:
Rich, Lopers are wearisome, but don't take it out on Tebow.
huntined#565710 writes:
GeeryOP that would have taken me all day ,,But I still think you can't blame a Coach when a player messes up..They want them on the field not in jail..But we do seem to have more of that today or it may just be reported more now then in the past.
volunteermailman writes:
ole miss sports and academics blow
volunteermailman writes:
hey gatorj--- get a life and yeah you are right we dont have fulmer anymore
huntined#565710 writes:
You are talking about 1991 and 1992 come on man...I have been married for 35 years to a wonderful GOD FEARING woman..now if I had met this Lady 5 years before we met she would have thrown rocks at me..I didn't get into bar fights because a Coach got into bar fights, I got into them because I was in the bar..I wish that was the only thing in my life that I did wrong..But that is over and done with but I still can't go back and change those things and neither can our coach
utmdm writes:
Kiff has got their attention at FL.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/co...
huntined#565710 writes:
GATORZZ,, What did your coaches do in their past to cause this?
Volfan1 writes:
Funny that cupcake almost had you gagging. If not for a critical call against Mapu for a "hit" on Leak as he threw that overturned an interception returned by the Vols for a TD, and Thomas dominant play against the run that night, you would have been gagging all year on that "cupcake".
But I consisder you a typical gator whiner. Thomas failed a drug test before the season, suspended for a game, played two games (one against UT), then completed his suspension for the SAME VIOLATION against two weaker teams, and then comes back for the trifecta against the big boys. Finally he's gone after the murderers row. Meyer comes straight from the Zook school of discipline...Shannon Crowder suspended against some directional team ring a bell?
You are presented with the FACTS, and instead of acknowledging it, you throw an insult back.
Are you James Carville?
GerryOP writes:
Catfish, all of the links and the info they report are clearly legit. Without question!
A litany of Meyer's transgressions is not legit? (3 links) Speaking of molding character, I guess YOUR assistant coach did not mold his own daughter too well. (1 link) Two playes arrested for serious crimes -- attempted rape and gun charges. (2 links) And pictures of an apparently drunk Tebow. (1 link) Yup, clearly a character molding problem. Or is Meyer going all out to win the legendary Fulmer Cup!
OBTW, unlike your posts all of these articles were written by adults, not some sophmore attending high school in West Dipswitch, AZ. And not by some dude that wears a shirt that says Amabala on it!
Also BTW, except for Tebow's pictures, none of these links are juvenile cartoon characters or dippy cartoons that someone doctored up. As a matter of fact, many of the links come from the same sources you obnoxiously flip to us.
Was Ed O judged guilty in Miami in 1991? You do not care to report that? And being arrested for date rape and gun charges is less serious than Ed O's charges in Miami? I guess that should be decided by the abused wife, the date raped, and whoever was threatened by the gun. OBTW, the charges in Baton Rouge in 1992 were dismissed. Right?
Me thinks that there may be a character molding problem in Gainesville. Would you like the services of our moral icon Coach Fulmer?
Date-Rape-Gun-Totin'-Drunk-QB-Urban-Blight U?
utmdm writes:
Another brewing controversy:
Kiffin was equally dogged. But when it was obvious that Jeffrey wasn't going to Tennessee, Kiffin took off the gloves.
According to Jeffrey and Wilson, Kiffin told Jeffrey that if he chose the Gamecocks, he would end up pumping gas for the rest of his life like all the other players from that state who had gone to South Carolina.
Jeffrey was doing his best to stay awake at that point, but that comment from Kiffin woke him up. He clearly hasn't forgotten it, either.
"He said it, but it's not worth talking about," Jeffrey said.
Wilson was a little more diplomatic. He wrote it off as Kiffin pulling out all of the stops and simply not wanting to concede defeat. Wilson acknowledged that's about as negative as it got that morning.
"It was his last resort. That's all it was," said Wilson, who also attended high school in South Carolina. "When you get pushed against the wall and your back is there, you're going to come out with something. You should have heard coach Carroll. He was wide awake at 3 o'clock in the morning. Remember, he was on West Coast time and fighting to get Alshon to the very end.
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/secconf/0-...
GerryOP writes:
I agree with you, somewhat, huntined. But Catfish brought up the issue of coaches being responsible for "character molding." Just thought I would point out that "people who live in stone houses should not throw glass."
With a little bit of digging it is amazing what you can find about lil' Urbie's transgressions in Croctown ... and it has only been what 4 years? Or is it 5? It seems like decades since they have had a coach that was not simply a fragile, plaster statue.
But then again, except for the Spurrier years -- as player and coach -- Croc football has always been somewhat ... well ... irrelevant. With lil' Urbie keeping one eye on what is going on in South Bend, Croc football will soon be on the way to being irrelevant ... again.
Come to think of it, the basketCrocs are kind of in the same boat. Without 4 NBA draftees on the roster they are now known as back-to-back-to ... irrelevant.
GerryOP writes:
gator4life, just doing a little jousting with lil' zzgatorboy.
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/spo...
I'm glad to hear that Johnson was not judged guilty. But there had to be a reason for the RO?
I believe Ed O's charges, as serious as they were, were also dropped/dismissed/pled out or something. But, lil' zzgatorboy likes to keep dredging the junk up from '91 and '91 while acting as if lil' Urbie and the Crocs are all little innocent choir boys. T'aint true!
BTW, thanks for a rational post/query from the Gator side of the house. We do appreciate it!
I agree it has to be like skating on very thin ice when it comes to recruiting jocks. How do you know if the "big ugly" that you really need to help tear opponents heads off on Satuday afternoons does not have some character flaws that would cause him to do socially, and legally, unacceptable things on Saturday nights? It is awesome how many of the "big uglies" turn out to be really good citizens. How the coaches can sort that out when recruiting is beyond me!
Heaven knows we have had our problems at UT. We are even the unproud originators of "The Fulmer Cup!" I advocate that if Coach Kiffin does nothing more than return "law and order" to the football team, his crew will be money well spent. So far, he seems to be doing that -- knock on wood!
GerryOP writes:
A friendly word of advice:
180 -- Fear The Kiffin...
Or to personalize the advice,
194 -- Fear The Kiffin...
GerryOP writes:
We will return ... and soon! (I hope!)
Be well my friend!
dvhill100 writes:
I KNEW it!!!!!
The fix was in!!!!
:P
ncvol17 writes:
Wow, reading the string of posts we see how off subject it has gotten. Every article has these Gator fans redirecting to UF junk..This punk was a thug in HS, a thug at U, a thug at Community college, and will be a thug for his rotten life. We all have something to fear from those like him since our current society sees fit to constantly let his type roam our streets.
This kid is a thug and needs to be sent to Florida Prison and then Miss prison. He can star for the prison team for a few years, get out, do something worse to some poor fellow, and then go back into stir to start over again. We need a new Devils Island in the Keys for thugs like this..dump them and let them rot..
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.