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3 UGA football players charged with reckless driving this week

By FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team
Updated  July 11, 2024 5:31pm EDT
University of Georgia
FOX 5 Atlanta

2 UGA players arrested

Two University of Georgia football players were arrested earlier this week for reckless driving. They join a list of players and staff members who have been arrested on similar charges.

ATHENS, Ga. - Three University of Georgia football players, this week, were charged with reckless driving in two separate incidents, according to UGA Sports and jail records. 

Johnathan "Bo" Le'Monte Hughley was booked into the Athens-Clarke County Jail at 8:37 p.m. on July 9 on charges of failure to maintain lane/improper driving and reckless driving. Hughley was also involved in a single-car crash. He was arrested by UGA police.

Johnathan "Bo" Le'Monte Hughley

Johnathan "Bo" Le'Monte Hughley  (Athens-Clarke County Sheriff's Office)

UGA players charged with racing

Smael Simon Mondon was booked at 11:05 p.m. on July 10 and charged with reckless driving and racing on highway/streets. Mondon was arrested by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department. While he was the primary person being targeted in the traffic stop, fellow UGA football player Demello Le Jones, 18, also stopped.

Smael Simon Mondon

Smael Simon Mondon (Athens-Clarke County Sheriff's Office)

It happened just before 10 p.m. on July 10 along W. Broad Street and The Plaza. While Mondon was arrested, Jones was cited on similar charges because he pulled over when he was not the primary target of the traffic stop, according to the police report. The same report states the pair were going at least 75 mph in a 40 mph zone.

Mondon was driving a 2022 Dodge Charger while Jones was driving a gray Porsche Panamera.

Hughley and Mondon were released on cash bonds of $26 less than 2 hours after their arrests.

Hughley, who is a redshirt freshman from Fulton County, is an offensive lineman, Mondon, who is a senior from Paulding County, is a linebacker, and Jones is a freshman cornerback.

There have been several arrests and driving-related citations involving UGA players and staff members in the last couple of years.

Football player Devin Willock and recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy were killed in a crash on Jan. 15, 2023, just hours after the team celebrated back-to-back national championships with a parade and ceremony in Athens.

After the fatal crash, Coach Kirby Smart said that anytime players are arrested, they are disciplined, including suspension. He also said players had attended a session over the summer about the dangers of street racing and speeding. Smart said the sessions were standard protocol and they also address alcohol consumption and domestic violence. 

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FOX 5 Atlanta has reached out to the school for comment.