Jaguars Receiver Charles Sharon Arrested

Monday, March 12th 2007, 9:56 am

By: News On 6

TAMPA, Florida (AP) _ Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Charles Sharon was charged with stealing a handgun that police found under the seat of his sport utility vehicle during a drug-related search.

Sharon and a companion were arrested Saturday night after a Tampa police officer noticed the odor of marijuana coming from his 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe parked in the Ybor City entertainment district, a police report said.

A search of the vehicle turned up a .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol under the driver's seat that had been reported stolen from a federal law enforcement agent in Putnam County last year, the report said. Police spokeswoman Lisa Parashis said Monday it was unclear how Sharon got the agent's gun.

Sharon was charged with grand theft of a firearm and carrying a concealed firearm, both felonies.

Jebidiah Crawford was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana after an officer found less than an ounce of it in a Jaguars duffel bag in Sharon's vehicle.

Sharon was released Sunday morning after paying a $4,000 (euro3,000) bond, jail records showed.

Jaguars spokesman Dan Edwards said the team had no comment on the arrest. Sharon's agent, Fletcher Smith, did not immediately return a phone message left at his office. No attorney information for Sharon was available.

Sharon, the all-time leader in receiving yards and touchdowns at Bowling Green, was a rookie in 2006. He was signed to the active roster on Nov. 22, but did not play.

It was the fourth arrest since the beginning of last season for the Jaguars.