UA’s Smith charged with forgery, theft

BY TOM MURPHY

Posted on Monday, September 24, 2007

URL: http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/202372/

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas tailback Michael Smith was held in the Washington County jail overnight Sunday after being arrested and charged with two felonies stemming from his alleged use of a stolen credit card.

Smith, 20, was charged with second-degree forgery and theft by receiving after allegedly using the card during the early morning hours of Sept. 16, after the Razorbacks flew back from a 41-38 loss at Alabama.

Smith made $ 96. 34 in purchases on the card in three transactions at two area convenience stores, according to the Fayetteville Police Department arrest report.

Smith was arrested at 2 p. m. Sunday at his residence at 1652 Willow Brooke by police Cpl. Elliot Luebker.

Bond for Smith is expected to be set today, Sgt. Dominic Swanfeld said.

Fayetteville police also arrested a co-defendant, Micah Kirschbaum. Smith told the arresting officer he received the card from Kirschbaum in exchange for gas money the co-defendant owed him. Kirschbaum, according to the report, placed the card in Smith’s mailbox.

Kirschbaum was arrested by Fayetteville police on Sept. 18 and was charged with fraudulent use of a credit card and theft of property, Sgt. Swanfeld said.

Smith “was very polite during questioning and appeared concerned for the victim,” the report stated. Smith also told the arresting officer he “had no knowledge the card was stolen,” but admitted to making purchases with it.

Had he known the card was stolen, Smith said “he would have never used it,” the report stated.

Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt moved swiftly in handing out an indefinite suspension to the sophomore out of Tallahassee (Fla. ) Rickards.

“I have suspended Michael Smith for actions off the field that are clearly not acceptable for anyone, especially a member of this team,” Nutt said in a university-issued statement. “I am extremely disappointed that he made a decision that reflects poorly on him and the Razorbacks. He has been suspended indefinitely. He will not play this weekend and additional actions will be considered after an opportunity to fully review the situation.”

Smith, 5-6, 165 pounds, has rushed 16 times for 97 yards and one touchdown this season. He had a costly fumble that was returned for a touchdown against Kentucky in Saturday’s 42-29 loss.

Information for this article was contributed by Chris Bahn of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.