Oktibbeha County grand jurors indicted Mississippi State University running back Nick Turner on a felony charge of possession of counterfeit money.
The indictment was linked to an incident in October after he accused of using phony $100 bills at Remington’s Hunt Club.
Turner, 19, of 1712 Braeburn Drive, Atlanta, Ga., waived his arraignment at the Oktibbeha Circuit Court Tuesday. His trial is set for April 30.
The 5-foot-11-inch, 190-pound running back turned himself in to the Starkville Police Oct. 21, 2002, after being quesitioned about knowingly using counterfeit money. He was charged that day after being questioned multiple times by Police Department detectives and U.S. Secret Service agents weeks prior to the initial incident at Remington’s Hunt Club.
Turner was questioned about several phony bills used at Remington’s Hunt Club on the night of Oct. 16.
He was not charged that day because the investigation had not been completed by the police detectives and U.S. Secret Services. Turner was later released on $5,000 bail.
A conviction for possession and usage of counterfeit currency under Mississippi law calls for a two- to 15-year sentence.
MSU head football coach Jackie Sherrill had placed Turner on an indefinite suspension after the October incident, causing him to sit out during his entire freshman season.
According to The Clarion-Ledger, Sherrill said the indictment should not keep Turner from resuming his football career.
However, Sherrill said from what he knows, it should all work out.
Sherrill said it is all in the hands of Turner’s attorney, Charles Yoste.
“I hope that I am able to resolve the charges as soon as possible and he will be able to play once again,” Yoste said.
His ability to play has not been decided but it is certainly Turner’s desire, Yoste said.
Yoste, a Starkville attorney, said they were going to try and get it all resolved before the April court date.
Turner, a former Parade 2001 All-American, also played as a reserved running back before he suffered a serious ankle injury.
He won other awards after his senior season at Washington High School in Atlanta.
Turner contributed largely on special teams, averaging a team-high 26.8 yards on kickoff returns and 11.5 yards on punt returns.