Alabama sophomore running back Altee Tenpenny was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana over spring break in his home town of North Little Rock, Ark.
Tenpenny was driving March 24 with an “inoperational license plate light,” which resulted in officer Jeffrey Coburn pulling him over, according to the incident report.
“While speaking with Mr. Tenpenny, I noticed he appeared extremely nervous and his hands were shaking uncontrollably,” Coburn said in the report. “Additionally, I could detect the odor of burnt marijuana emanating from within the vehicle.”
Coburn asked Tenpenny when the last time he had used marijuana was, and Tenpenny told him he had “smoked a blunt” with his older brother about an hour earlier.
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After telling the officer there was no additional marijuana in the car, Coburn found 2.1 grams of marijuana between the driver’s seat and center console. Tenpenny said it belonged to him.
Tenpenny is due in court Thursday, April 10 at 9:30 a.m.
The arrest was first reported by Little Rock radio station 103.7 The Buzz.
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“I’m aware of the situation with Altee, and this is obviously not the kind of behavior we expect from our players,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said in a statement released by UA Athletics. “In addition to any punishment he may receive from a legal standpoint, we will have some internal discipline as well as education that he will be responsible for working through.”
Tenpenny is the second Crimson Tide running back arrested on drug charges this year, as former UA tailback Dee Hart was arrested in February for giving false information to law enforcement and second-degree possession of marijuana.
(See also “Crimson Tide RB Dee Hart arrested“)
Tenpenny appeared in all 13 games for Alabama last season, though he appeared primarily on special teams. He finished the 2013 season with 22 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown. This spring, Tenpenny had been receiving reps behind T.J. Yeldon, Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake during Alabama’s practices leading up to the A-Day game.
