FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Matt Jones’ cocaine charge will be heard in drug court rather than in the regular criminal system, allowing him to keep any conviction off his record.
Jones was to have gone on trial Friday for his July 10 arrest when a Fayetteville police officer saw him inside a car allegedly cutting up cocaine with a credit card.
Prosecutor John Threet said his office reached an agreement with Jones on Tuesday to send the case to drug court. Threet and Jones’ attorney, Woody Bassett, said Circuit Judge William Storey approved the transfer Tuesday.
Jones still could be suspended by the NFL under the league’s substance-abuse policy. First-time offenders are subject to suspensions ranging from one to four games.
Bassett said Jones, a former quarterback at Arkansas and a first-round draft pick by the Jaguars in 2005, has to appear in drug court Oct. 13. Prosecutors said the felony charge would be dismissed if Jones completes the drug program.
“I think the fact that he’s worked something out that seems to make sense, I think that’s great,” Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said Wednesday.
Jones, who leads the team with 23 catches for 269 yards and a touchdown, declined comment.
“I’m not supposed to talk about it,” he said. “I can’t talk about it.”
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