GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer said in a statement Friday that Jamar Hornsby has been kicked off the team after the safety turned himself in earlier in the day to answer charges he allegedly used the credit card of a woman killed six months ago in an accident that also killed a teammate.
Hornsby, 21, a sophomore from Jacksonville, faces a third-degree felony count of fraudulent use of a credit card for more than $100, and a misdemeanor charge of credit card theft.
"He is not a part of our program," Florida coach Urban Meyer said in the release.
Hornsby allegedly used a credit card issued to Ashley Slonina, a University of Florida student who died in an October 2007 motorcycle accident that also took the life of Gators walk-on Michael Guilford. It was not known how Hornsby obtained the card.
The story was first reported by The Gainesville Sun.
Alachua County Sheriff's Office spokesman Stephen Maynard said the card was used 33 times in Alachua County and another 37 times in Jacksonville, for $3,000 in charges, the Sun reported.
"I would love to hear the explanation for utilizing the card of a deceased person," Maynard said, according to the report.
Hornsby is accused of using the card starting Oct. 13, 2007, the day after the woman's death, the newspaper said.
Hornsby's attorney, Huntley Johnson, said it was learned that a judge had issued a warrant for Hornsby's arrest Thursday. He said his client will cooperate with authorities.
Hornsby appeared in court Friday morning and was released on his own recognizance. Alachua County Court Judge William E. Davis explained he ordered Hornsby's release because any money Hornsby spent on bond would be money that he could not repay to Slonina's family, The Sun reported.
Slonina, the girlfriend of another Florida teammate, was apparently getting a ride home from Guilford when his motorcycle struck a curb at high speed near campus early on the morning of Oct. 12.
Hornsby, who has played the last two seasons mostly on special teams, has had two prior off-field problems during his Florida career. He was cited in April 2007 on misdemeanor criminal mischief charges when he caused $750 damage to a car by throwing a man onto the vehicle's hood during a fight. He also was suspended from playing in last year's game against Georgia for selling his tickets to the game, a violation of NCAA rules.
Guilford, a walk-on defensive back, had earned national attention for playing the role of Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith on the scout team during preparation for the 2007 Bowl Championship Series national title game, which the Gators won 41-14.
Hornsby did not speak in court, except to answer the judge's questions, according to the Sun. Johnson said Hornsby would likely spend part of his release with his mother in Jacksonville until his next court appearance.
