Florida player allegedly used deceased woman's credit card
ESPN.com news services

Updated: May 9, 2008, 1:15 PM ET

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida Gators safety Jamar Hornsby turned himself in Friday for allegedly using the credit card of a woman killed six months ago in an accident that also killed a teammate.

Hornsby, 21, a sophomore from Jacksonville, faces a third-degree felony count of fraudulent use of a credit card for more than $100, and a misdemeanor charge of credit card theft.

The story was first reported by The Gainesville Sun.

Hornsby allegedly used a credit card issued to Ashley Slonina, a University of Florida student who died in an October 2007 motorcycle accident that also took the life of Gators walk-on Michael Guilford. It was not known how Hornsby obtained the card.

Hornsby is accused of using the card starting Oct. 13, 2007, the day after the woman's death, the newspaper said.

Hornsby's attorney, Huntley Johnson, said it was learned that a judge had issued a warrant for Hornsby's arrest Thursday. He said his client will cooperate with authorities.

Hornsby appeared in court Friday morning and was released on his own recognizance. Alachua County Court Judge William E. Davis explained he ordered Hornsby's release because any money Hornsby spent on bond would be money that he could not repay to Slonina's family, The Sun reported.

Slonina, the girlfriend of another Florida teammate, was apparently getting a ride home from Guilford when his motorcycle struck a curb at high speed near campus early on the morning of Oct. 12.

Hornsby, who has played the last two seasons mostly on special teams, has had two prior off-field problems during his Florida career. He was cited in April 2007 on misdemeanor criminal mischief charges when he caused $750 damage to a car by throwing a man onto the vehicle's hood during a fight. He also was suspended from playing in last year's game against Georgia for selling his tickets to the game, a violation of NCAA rules.

Guilford, a walk-on defensive back, had earned national attention for playing the role of Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith on the scout team during preparation for the 2007 Bowl Championship Series national title game, which the Gators won 41-14.

Hornsby did not speak in court, except to answer the judge's questions, according to the Sun. Johnson said Hornsby would likely spend part of his release with his mother in Jacksonville until his next court appearance.

Information from ESPN.com college football reporter Mark Schlabach and The Associated Press was used in this report.

What an idiot! The audacity. You can participate in a poll at ESPN as to weather or not he should be kicked off the team.

Now he was dumb!

He should be kicked off the team immediately! Moron.

quote:

Hornsby is accused of using the card starting Oct. 13, 2007, the day after the woman's death, the newspaper said.

It was reported on the radio a few minutes ago that he has used the card over 70 times since her death ... and rang up a few THOUSAND dollars in charges.

quote:

Hornsby appeared in court Friday morning and was released on his own recognizance. Alachua County Court Judge William E. Davis explained he ordered Hornsby's release because any money Hornsby spent on bond would be money that he could not repay to Slonina's family, The Sun reported.


Johnson said Hornsby would likely spend part of his release with his mother in Jacksonville until his next court appearance.

What are the chances that you or I would be able to go and sit home until our court date if any of us had done this?