MU linebacker arrested Sunday

By Harry Plumer
March 18, 2008

An MU linebacker has been suspended from the football team indefinitely after being arrested early Sunday morning on suspicion of unlawful use of a weapon and possession of alcohol by a minor, police said.

Marquis X. Booker, a sophomore from Ardmore, Okla., acknowledged a 9mm handgun found concealed under the seat of a 2007 Nissan Altima belonged to him after police searched the car, Columbia Police Department Capt. Stephen Monticelli said.

Also in the car were an unidentified female, post-graduate linebacker recruit George White of Flint, Mich., junior linebacker Sean Weatherspoon and sophomore wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. While all the occupants of the car were asked by police to step out of the vehicle, none except Booker were arrested.

Police were dispatched to building five of the Gateway at Columbia apartment complex on Buttonwood Drive at 3:50 a.m. Sunday morning. The police were called after three witnesses on the third floor reported four males and one female yelling on the second floor. According to the witnesses, Booker went to the car and removed the handgun during the argument.

“Mr. Booker cocked the gun but didn’t point it at anyone,” Monticelli said. “Then, they must have realized the police were on their way because they got in the car and drove away.”

Officers were in the area and followed the vehicle briefly before performing a felony car stop.

“During a felony car stop, everyone gets out of the car and multiple officers search the vehicle,” Monticelli said. “The officers found a 9mm handgun and also detected a level of intoxication in Mr. Booker.”

MU Athletics spokesman Chad Moller confirmed Booker’s suspension but said he doesn’t believe any of the other players involved would face disciplinary action.

Police declined to comment on who was driving the car at the time of the stop or who the car is registered to.

Booker was taken to Boone County Jail, where he was released on $4,800 bond, according to the jail’s Web site.

If convicted of the weapons charge, a class D felony in Missouri, Booker would most likely face only probation, according to Missouri statutes and sentencing guidelines.

Booker came to MU after an impressive 156 tackle senior season at Ardmore High School in 2005. He did not record a tackle in 2007 and was sidelined in 2006, his first season at MU, after breaking his kneecap during fall workouts.

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