Ole Miss’ Nkemdiche charged with marijuana possession after fall

Published 1:34 pm Monday, December 14, 2015

Ole Miss defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche has been charged with marijuana possession following his fall from an Atlanta hotel room window Saturday night, according to a supplemental report sent to the EAGLE by the Atlanta Police Department on Monday.

The charge was first reported by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

According to the report, an officer identified as Lt. Hunt went to room 422 of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Buckhead, a popular section of downtown Atlanta, to gather clues from the incident, which, according to the report, involved Nkemdiche breaking through a window onto a ledge and eventually falling four floors to the ground where he was seen lying in front of the hotel’s interior sidewalk and driveway area.

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In a supplemental report, Hunt said he assessed the damage in the room, which was vacant once he got there.

“I immediately noticed that one of the double pane windows was busted out,” Hunt stated in the report. “In plain sight on the table adjacent to the window, I saw approximately seven rolled marijuana cigarettes rolled in Cigarillo Blunt papers. The room was in complete disarray. Inv. Kornbacher served a search warrant of the room and collected any/all illegal contraband. During the course of his investigation, Inv. Kornbacher was able to create a nexus between the room and Mr. Nkemdiche, thus linking him to the marijuana.”

According to the initial police report, Nkemdiche was conscious and breathing when police arrived on the scene after responding to a call pertaining to an injured person, who was identified as Nkemdiche. He was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital where he was met by APD investigators, according to the report.

Hunt stated in his supplemental report that “neither Mr. Nkemdiche nor his friends who were on scene could advise how he fell from the fourth floor.” Police said they were unsure how Nkemdiche made it over two ledges and onto the ground and that Nkemdiche nor the people he was with were willing to provide that information.

Police said the investigation is ongoing.

“We are still learning about the matter, but obviously Robert’s well-being is our greatest concern,” Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said in a statement Sunday afternoon.

Nkemdiche’s status with the team is unknown. Ole Miss will begin practice today for the Sugar Bowl against Oklahoma State on Jan. 1.