A Penn State football player was charged Monday with driving under the influence of marijuana.
Senior defensive end Amin A. Vanover, 23, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of DUI after blood test showed he tested positive for marijuana, State College police wrote in an affidavit of probable cause. No defense lawyer was listed.
In a written statement, Penn State Athletics said the department is aware of the charges.
“These alleged actions do not reflect the values and standards of our program and will be addressed,” the department said. “We will not comment any further as this is an ongoing legal matter.”
Vanover was stopped in early August near the intersection of Waupelani Drive and O’Bryan Lane for an expired tag, borough police wrote. An officer said he smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle and Vanover was the only occupant.
He claimed his friends smoked marijuana in his car and the smell was coming from his clothing, but the officer wrote that Vanover had a “sleepy” appearance and looked to have bloodshot eyes.
He told the officer he did not own a medical marijuana card and failed roadside sobriety tests, police wrote. His blood was drawn at Mount Nittany Medical Center. Analysis results were at a 95% certainty level, police wrote.
Vanover was also charged with a summary count of driving an unregistered vehicle. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 2.
Vanover played in each of the Nittany Lions’ first two games, registering a pair of tackles against West Virginia. He’s a key part of the team’s defensive line rotation as the primary backup to starters Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton at defensive end. Vanover registered 1.5 sacks last season and one the year prior for his career total of 2.5 sacks at Penn State.
This is his final season of college eligibility.
Coach James Franklin is scheduled to meet with the media Tuesday evening following the team’s practice.
Source Agencies
