Jaguars' Dante Fowler arrested in St. Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG (FOX 13) - Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler Junior was arrested Tuesday night during a trip back to his hometown of St. Petersburg.

Fowler, 22, is facing misdemeanor charges of simple battery and criminal mischief.

According to St. Petersburg police, Fowler got into an argument with a man while he was driving through the Trellis at the Lakes apartment complex around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

A man who was walking by, Alvin Trotman made a comment to Fowler about his driving. Fowler got out of his vehicle and confronted Trotman. The men got into an argument that escalated when Fowler hit Trotman, knocking off his glasses.

According to police, Fowler then stepped on the glasses and tossed Trotman's grocery bag into a nearby lake.
Trotman called police after Fowler drove away.

"We left the scene after taking that initial report, and then two hours later, the victim called us and said the car is back," said Yolanda Fernandez, spokesperson for St Petersburg Police. "When we returned to the apartment is when we were able to speak with Dante Fowler."

Fowler was arrested and released from the Pinellas County Jail just before 2 a.m. Wednesday on a $650 bond.

On Wednesday, the Jacksonville Jaguars issued the following statement:

"The Jaguars are aware of the situation involving defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. and are currently gathering more information. The team has been in communication with Dante. No further comment will be made at this time."

Fowler is a former stand out athlete at Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg and a former Florida Gator. He was a first-round NFL pick in 2015.

In less than two years, Fowler has gotten at least 10 traffic citations in four Florida counties, that includes going 98 in 55 mph zone.