http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5356713.html 2 Aggie football players charged in armed robbery case Starting offensive tackle, freshman defensive end suspended until 'cleared of any wrongdoing' By TERRANCE HARRIS Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle COLLEGE STATION — Starting offensive tackle Yemi Babalola and freshman defensive end Brandon Joiner have been suspended from the Texas A&M football team after both players were arrested Wednesday by College Station police. Their arrests stem from an alleged burglary at an off-campus apartment last Thursday in victims were held at gunpoint while some small items were stolen, according to police documents. Drugs and other controlled substances were allegedly seized during search warrants executed at both players residences. According to a College Station police press release, two black men entered Callaway Villas Apartments around 3:45 p.m. last Thursday wearing hooded shirts and sun glasses and at least one had a gun. The police documents indicate one resident was struck upon opening the door, while two were later bound by tape as a third resident escaped out of a window. They then stole items before fleeing on foot, according to the report. A&M athletic director Bill Byrne and interim head coach Gary Darnell agreed that both players should be suspended until the charges are dropped. Newly hired A&M football coach Mike Sherman is still working as the Texans offensive coordinator and is not yet part of the day-to-day functions of the team. “When Coach (Gary) Darnell called last night to inform me of the charges, he and I agreed that these young men need to be suspended from the football team,” Byrne said in a released statement Thursday morning. “They will remain suspended until cleared of any wrongdoing. “From the information that we have at this time, it is obvious this is a very serious situation. The Texas A&M athletics department will cooperate completely with any investigation into this matter to gather all of the facts.” Babalola, 21, has been charged with two counts of robbery and possession of two ounces of mar1juana. Joiner, 18, is being charged with possession of two ounces of mar1juana as well as possession of ecstasy and hydrocodone, according to police documents. Aggravated robbery is a first degree felony and punishment is between 5 and 99 years in prison and a fine up to $1,000. The loss of a Babalola, a three-year starter on the offensive line, could be a huge blow for the Aggies as they prepare for Dec.29 Alamo Bowl game against Penn State. Joiner, a 6-2, 231 pound true freshman from Killeen, did not play this season.
