Ex-NFL Linebacker Telvin Smith Accused Of Having Sex With Underage Girl

Former NFL player Telvin Smith was arrested in Florida this week for allegedly having sex with an underage teen girl.

Smith, a former linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars, was taken into custody at his home on Wednesday evening and charged with one count of unlawful sexual activity with certain minors, ESPN reports. He was released later that same day after posting $50,003 bond.

Smith, 29, is accused of having sex with a 17-year-old girl multiple times, according to an arrest warrant obtained by News 4 Jax. The unnamed minor is believed to have first met Smith in August 2019 while at work, at which point she said she informed him that she was a minor; despite her age, the two reportedly began talking and met up within days. Smith took her to his home, where they had sex in his home theater and in his bedroom, she alleged. Following the encounter, Smith allegedly offered the victim $200, which she did not want to accept; however, she eventually accepted half of the money, she said.

Telvin Smith Photo: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office

Smith then allegedly told the girl to keep their encounter a secret because he could go to jail. If anyone asked, he told her to say that he was her mentor, the warrant states.

The teenager told police that she met Smith a second time a few days later at a local shopping mall and that they had sex in his car while it was parked in the lot, News 4 Jax reports. The teen also said that she told a relative about what happened with Smith after the first time they met up, before telling the authorities in November.

Deputies with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office were seen searching Smith’s Queens Harbour home the day before Thanksgiving last year, The Florida Times-Union reported at the time. At the time, authorities said that a search warrant had been served at Smith’s home due to “an active criminal investigation,” but they did not offer further details.

Investigators who searched Smith’s car recovered evidence that allegedly linked Smith to the victim, an anonymous law enforcement source told ESPN.

Smith announced in May that he would not be playing during the upcoming season, and would instead be taking a break to focus on himself, his family, and his health.

Smith has not publicly commented on news of his arrest. In a statement obtained by ESPN, the Jacksonville Jaguars said, “The Jaguars are aware of the report involving former linebacker Telvin Smith. The club is unable to comment further on this ongoing investigation.”