Hillsborough: News and Notes

By JOE SMITH
Published January 23, 2008

Plant senior linebacker Patrick Carter was arrested early Monday morning on a charge of suspicion of driving under the influence.

Carter, 18, was arrested at the intersection of Neptune Street and Westshore Boulevard at 1:03 a.m., according to a report from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. His Breathalyzer test indicated his blood-alcohol level to be .137 and .126. Florida law presumes a driver to be impaired at .08.

According to a Tampa Police Department report, an officer witnessed Carter run the stop sign at the intersection and pull in front of a vehicle traveling north on South Westshore. Upon a search of Carter's vehicle, they found a "half-empty 1.5-liter bottle of Popov Vodka, along with plastic cups that contained the odor of an alcoholic beverage." The report states Carter told police post-Miranda that he had nothing alcoholic to drink.

Carter was a key member of Plant's 2006 state title team and a starting linebacker last season, when he led the team with eight sacks. He was released on $500 bond.

Football championships to stay in Orlando

The Florida High School Athletic Association announced Tuesday it has signed a two-year extension to keep the state football championship games at Orlando's Florida Citrus Bowl through 2010. The original agreement, finalized in April 2007, was a two-year deal for the 2007 and '08 seasons.

Former Chiefs hoops star arrested

Former Chamberlain standout guard James Devlin was arrested late Monday for third-degree grand theft auto, according to a report from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Devlin, 21, was released on $2,000 bond. He led the Chiefs to a 28-4 record and runnerup finish at the Class 5A tournament in 2006. He later played at Pasco-Hernando Community College. Chiefs coach Doug Aplin said Devlin was enrolled last semester at Hillsborough Community College, and that Devlin has dropped by Chamberlain to work out and practice with the current Chiefs, who travel to play Class 5A, District 10 leader Plant tonight. "He never got into any trouble here, never had a discipline problem," Aplin said. "It disappoints me, that's for sure."

[Last modified January 22, 2008, 21:53:14]