TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety T.J. Ward was arrested in Tampa Wednesday morning on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear stemming from an October arrest for marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the Hillsborough County Sherriff's Department, Ward was arrested at his apartment at 8:11 a.m. He was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
On Oct. 25, officers entered Ward's apartment due to an active intrusion alarm. Officers discovered two large clear glass jars containing 99.9 grams of marijuana belonging to Ward.
Ward's girlfriend, Ciera Woody, told officers originally that it was "medicinal marijuana."
It's a felony charge for possession of marijuana over 20 grams. The paraphernalia charge is a misdemeanor.
Medical marijuana is legal in Florida, but patients must have a qualifying ailment and a registration card.
"Reports from various sources revolving around my client, TJ Ward, and an incident nearly 3 months ago are inaccurate," Ward's agent, Josh Arnold said in a statement. "We dispute the claims being reported and TJ adamantly denies these allegations. It was our understanding that the matter had been resolved in October and my client was never arrested at that time. Nor was he even at the residence when the police allegedly located marijuana. TJ never received a notice to appear or any other notice of a court date regarding this matter in October or subsequently thereafter. TJ is uncertain as to why this is coming up now given the fact it was resolved months ago, but nonetheless he looks forward to resolving the issue as expeditiously as possible."
A three-time Pro Bowler, Ward signed with the Bucs last season on a one-year deal worth $5 million, but likely won't be returning after mostly being used as a rotational player.