Former NFL WR Ricardo Lockette Arrested, Faces Multiple Felony Charges | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Andrew Mckinney Former NFL wide receiver Ricardo Lockette was arrested Wednesday in Atlanta.
According to Fox 5 Atlanta, the 37-year-old is facing charges of possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of or attempt to commit a felony, possession of a vehicle with an altered VIN and theft by receiving stolen property.
Per Michael Seiden of WSB-TV, Lockette was booked into a jail in Fulton County. Court documents revealed that Georgia State Patrol was conducting surveillance when troopers noticed Lockette driving off in a 2021 Ram 1500 TRX with a suspicious license plate.
Authorities followed Lockette as he drove across the street, where it was determined during a traffic stop that the vehicle was stolen. When Lockette was informed that he was driving a stolen truck, he told officers that he purchased it on Facebook Marketplace during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
"He (told us) he found the vehicle on Facebook Market but couldn't provide a date," a responding officer wrote in an affidavit. "He stated that he went to Columbus, GA, to purchase the vehicle from a buy here pay here dealership. Again, he couldn't provide a date of purchase or how much he paid. He stated that he couldn't remember if he paid cash or used the bank to purchase it. He stated that the vehicle was paid off at the time of purchase."
However, court records showed that the vehicle was reported stolen on March 24, 2023, and the arrest affidavit stated that police found a temporary tag that had been issued on May 3, 2023, after searching the truck. Lockette was also found to be driving with a suspended license and in possession of a Glock 43 9mm pistol, court documents stated.
Lockette joined the NFL in 2011 as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Seattle Seahawks. He was a part of the team's win in Super Bowl XLVIII during the 2013 season. His career ended in 2015.