Ex-Jaguars player Telvin Smith accused of sexual activity with minor

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Ex-Jaguars player Telvin Smith was arrested Wednesday. Heavily armored SWAT team officers and undercover detectives were spotted in the afternoon at his home in Queen’s Harbour.

Duval County jail records show he was booked at 5:20 p.m. and arrested on the charge of unlawful sexual activity with certain minors. Later in the evening, records show he posted $50,000 bond.

In November, investigators with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office were spotted raiding the 29-year-old’s home, towing his vehicle. Sources told News4Jax that another search warrant was issued Wednesday.

“They had enough probable cause to make an arrest based on information they received,” said News4Jax crime and safety analyst Ken Jefferson.

A statement from the Jacksonville Jaguars reads:

"The Jaguars are aware of the report involving former linebacker Telvin Smith. The club is unable to comment further on this ongoing investigation.”

Smith, a fifth-round draft pick from Florida State in 2014 and a Pro Bowl selection in 2017, announced last April that he was stepping away from football to “get my world in order.”

The Jaguars fined Smith more than $88,000 for missing the team’s mandatory, three-day minicamp in June. Smith avoided future fines by filing retirement paperwork with the NFL before training camp.

Jacksonville placed him on the league’s reserve/retired list, which paused his contract and freed up a roster spot as well as $9.75 million in salary cap space in 2019. It also protected Smith from fines and NFL testing policies.

Smith has three years remaining on his current deal, which averages $10 million annually in base salary.

Smith was scheduled to go before a judge on Thursday morning.


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Lifetime Jacksonville resident anchors the 8 and 9 a.m. weekday newscasts and is part of the News4Jax I-Team.

Award-winning broadcast and multimedia journalist with 20 years experience.