Allen, Texas – KaVontae Turpin, the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver and return specialist, was arrested on Saturday, July 5, in Allen, Texas, on misdemeanor weapon and drug charges. According to CBS News and ESPN, Turpin was booked into the Collin County Jail following his arrest.
The Charges
Turpin faces two charges: unlawful carrying of a weapon and possession of marijuana. The NFL star was reportedly found with less than 2 ounces of marijuana, as reported by ESPN. His arrest has caused concern among fans, given his high-profile position with the Cowboys.
Release and Bond
Turpin was released from jail on Sunday, July 6, after posting a $1,500 bond. Mike Fisher, a Cowboys insider, reported on X (formerly Twitter) that the bond for the marijuana charge was set at $500, while the unlawful weapon charge carried a bond of $1,000.
Neither Turpin’s manager, Rey Jay Soto, nor the Allen Police Department (APD) responded immediately to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.
Contract with the Cowboys
Turpin, who joined the Dallas Cowboys in 2022, signed a three-year, $18 million contract in March 2024, making him the highest-paid special teams player in the NFL, according to DallasCowboys.com. The announcement came through a joint post on Instagram with the team, which stated, “The fastest player in the NFL is staying in Dallas ⭐️.”
Performance in 2024 Season
Turpin had a stellar performance during the 2024 NFL season. He led the league in kick return average with 33.5 yards, as reported by ESPN. Additionally, he topped the NFL in return yards, tallying 904 yards on 27 kick returns and 187 yards on 18 punt returns. Turpin also excelled as a wide receiver, catching 31 passes for 420 yards. His impressive season earned him a spot in his second NFL Pro Bowl.
Past Legal Issues
Before joining the Cowboys, Turpin had a tumultuous past, including legal troubles while in college. He played for Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, but the school cut ties with him in 2018 after he was accused of assaulting his girlfriend. Turpin was arrested in March 2018 in New Mexico for battery charges, though he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In October 2018, Turpin pleaded guilty to assault charges in a case involving his girlfriend. He was sentenced to two years of deferred adjudication probation and ordered to complete a 27-week abuse intervention program, according to NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. TCU’s head coach stated the university had dismissed Turpin after learning of the October 2018 arrest.
At the time of the arrest, Turpin expressed regret for his actions, telling reporters that he had learned from his accountability and consequences and was focused on becoming a better person moving forward.
Ongoing Situation
While Turpin’s recent arrest has attracted attention, his future with the Cowboys remains uncertain. The legal proceedings surrounding the weapon and drug charges are ongoing, and further developments are likely as the NFL continues to monitor the situation.