Georgia Receiver Arrested

 

Arrested on cruelty to children, battery charges

Georgia wide receiver Rodarius "Rara" Thomas was arrested early Friday on charges of cruelty to children and battery, adding to the team's recent legal issues.

Records from the Athens-Clarke County jail show that Thomas was booked at 3:20 a.m. on felony charges of cruelty to children and misdemeanor battery charges. As of late Friday morning, bail had not been set.

This marks Thomas's second arrest in two years. Thomas, who transferred from Mississippi State, was previously arrested by University of Georgia police on January 23, 2023, on a felony charge of false imprisonment and a misdemeanor count of family violence battery. However, those charges were eventually dropped.

Details on Friday's arrest, which also includes family violence offenses, were not immediately available. It is not known if Thomas has obtained legal representation.

In a statement, Steven Drummond, the executive associate athletic director for strategic communications at Georgia, mentioned, "This matter is currently under legal review. We do not plan to provide any further comments on this issue."

During the Southeastern Conference media days on July 16, Georgia coach Kirby Smart discussed his efforts to address his players' repeated driving offenses.

Smart indicated that players have faced suspensions and fines from the organization responsible for providing name, image, and likeness payments to the university's athletes.

According to The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, Georgia players have been associated with 24 driving violations (including DUIs, reckless driving, and speeding), which also include a fatal car crash involving a player and a recruiting staff member in January 2023.

"The incidents that have been happening off the field are not something we condone," Smart said at the SEC media days. "It's very unfortunate, disappointing, I guess is the best word."

Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy were killed in a car crash on Jan. 15, 2023, just days after the Bulldogs won the national title game.

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