Not even one day after Virginia Tech wrapped up its spring practices, Hokies running back Michael Holmes found himself in legal trouble.
According to Mike Barber of the Times-Dispatch, Holmes was booked into the Montgomery County jail on two counts of simple assault and one count of malicious wounding. Other outlets later confirmed Holmes’ arrest through a jail spokesperson. He is apparently being held without bail.
The details behind Holmes’ arrest are currently vague -- the Times-Dispatch says Holmes was involved in a bar fight -- though the single count of malicious wounding is considered a Class A felony in Virginia, and is described as attempting to “maliciously shoot, stab, cut, or wound any person or by any means cause him bodily injury, with the intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or kill.”
Virginia Tech has yet to issue a statement regarding the matter, but athletic department policy states that Holmes would be suspended until his legal matter is resolved.
As a freshman for the Hokies last season, Holmes rushed 70 times for 280 yards and led all running backs with four touchdowns on the ground. He was considered to be one of the backs who could emerge as a starter for VT this fall.
If Holmes is found guilty of a felony, though, it’s unlikely he’ll be on the team at all.