​The District Attorney’s Office in Brunswick has opted not to prosecute Georgia football defensive back Ja’Marley Riddle on two felony drug possession charges stemming from an arrest on May 8, according to a state motion obtained on Thursday by the Athens Banner-Herald. A Nolle Prosequi was entered in Glynn County Superior Court on Monday, July 6.
Riddle, who transferred from East Carolina, faced charges brought by Glynn County police that included possession of marijuana in excess of one ounce, possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, and a misdemeanor speeding offense. The incident began when Riddle was allegedly driving a Dodge Durango at 90 miles per hour in a 70 mph zone on I-95 South. According to the police report, an “overwhelming odor of marijuana” emanated from the vehicle when stopped.
The state’s motion notes that it could not determine whether a vape device found in the vehicle contained THC and references Riddle’s community involvement. The motion, dated July 2 and signed by assistant district attorney James Abely, states that Riddle is a 19-year-old university student with no prior criminal record who volunteered with “Where Colors Shine,” a program designed to assist children with cancer. It adds that on May 8, 2026, Riddle was the driver of the vehicle and that a vape device was located in the rear seat area of the car—outside of the defendant’s reach. The liquid in the vape may have contained THC, but the state cannot determine the THC content, if any, and notes that the GBI laboratory was not currently measuring THC levels in such liquids.
Police reports initially indicated that Riddle told officers there was no marijuana in the vehicle, though he later acknowledged there was some. A warrant issued on July 1 listed all three original charges, including speeding, as dismissed.
Georgia athletics officials had not yet commented on Thursday regarding Riddle. They had previously said on May 14 that they were gathering information but would not comment further on an ongoing legal matter.
This article originally appeared in the Athens Banner-Herald.