Holloway was arrested Monday and charged with felony drug possession, four days before the Crimson Tide’s opening-round game against 13th-seeded Hofstra in the NCAA Tournament on Friday in Tampa, Fla. Alabama is the fourth seed in the Midwest Region.
The university said later Monday that Holloway was “removed from campus” and is not with the team, pending investigation.
The marijuana discovered weighed just short of a kilogram (2.2 pounds) — the amount that triggers a drug trafficking charge under Alabama law.
ESPN reported that law enforcement discovered marijuana in assorted locations across the apartment, including a backpack, a suitcase, in a TV entertainment stand and a bedroom drawer. They also found cash, a sedative for which he didn’t have a prescription, a rolling tray and packaging materials.
Per ESPN, Holloway said he “only smokes” and does not sell drugs.
Holloway, a 21-year-old junior, was charged with first-degree possession of marijuana (not for personal use), a Class C felony in the state. He also was charged with failure to affix a tax stamp, another felony. He paid the $5,000 bond and was released from jail Monday morning.
A tax stamp violation occurs when someone distributes, sells or transfers a controlled substance without paying a tax.
If convicted, he could receive a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail on each count and a $15,000 fine.
Coach Nate Oats addressed the Holloway case Monday night on his radio show.
“We’re certainly disappointed in his behavior. But that being said, we still love him, he’s still our guy,” Oats said. “We’re helping him get the help that he needs and we’re going to continue to help him whatever way we can. But as far as our team goes, I thought we had a great practice. We’re preparing to play without him this weekend.”
