Gators backup QB Jalen Kitna arrested on child porn charges

Florida Gators backup quarterback Jalen Kitna, son of former NFL QB Jon Kitna, was arrested Wednesday on five counts of possessing and distributing child pornography.

Kitna, 19, was booked into the Alachua County Jail on Wednesday afternoon and immediately suspended indefinitely from the team.

“We are shocked and saddened to hear of the news involving Jalen Kitna,” the university said in a statement. “These are extremely serious charges and the University of Florida and the UAA have zero tolerance for such behavior.”

According to the Gainesville Police Department (GPD), police executed a search warrant on Kitna’s residence after receiving a tip that a Discord user at the address had shared an image of child sexual abuse through its platform. Kitna told police he remembered sharing two images but believed them to be legal since he found them online.

In a news release, the GPD said, “Kitna advised that he realized he should not have shared those two images, based on the reaction from the other Discord user that he shared them with.”

GPD said they confiscated Kitna’s electronic devices and found an additional three images.

He was then arrested on two counts of distribution of child exploitation material and three counts of possessing child pornography.

Kitna appeared in four games this season, throwing for 181 yards and a touchdown behind starting QB Anthony Richardson.

Jon Kitna played in the NFL for 14 seasons (1997-2011) for four teams. He is currently head coach and athletic coordinator at Burleson High School in Burleson, Texas.

–Field Level Media