Georgia is preparing a showdown with Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff, but freshman Latavious Brini is facing legal troubles.
Jake Rowe of 247Sports initially reported the arrest. Brini — who was released after the $5,700 bond was posted — was charged with first-degree forgery, which is a felony in Georgia.
Seth Emerson of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution shared the details of the arrest, which is focused on a counterfeit $100 bill during an incident in July.
According to the report, Brini allegedly used the note to pay for $8 of merchandise at a Pet Supplies Plus store and received $92 in cash. The store realized it was a counterfeit currency and traced it back to Brini, who allegedly used a fake name, Trevon Shorter, while signing up for a rewards card.
Eight days later, “the same cashier noticed the same person return to the store and use a debit card under a different name.
Additionally, Emerson notes a Georgia athlete arrested on a felony is immediately suspended. Pending the results of the investigation and a review, the school may decide to punish Brini further.
Brini has not appeared in a game this season, so his absence does not affect the team from a football perspective. However, it’s the continuation of a troubling trend for Kirby Smart and the program.