Arkansas defensive lineman Ernest Mitchell faces a court date Thursday in St. Francis County after being cited earlier this summer on charges that included possession of a controlled substance and simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms.

Mitchell, 22, was pulled over June 30 in Forrest City while driving a vehicle with an improperly displayed license tag, Arkansas State Police spokesman Bill Sadler said.

" During the traffic stop, [State Police Cpl. Rodney Myers ] found evidence of drugs in the vehicle and went further to find a small amount of what he believed to be marijuana, " Sadler said. " A further search of the vehicle turned up a small caliber handgun and some drug paraphernalia. "

Mitchell, a senior and 20-game starter out of Newnan, Ga., is the Hogs' most experienced defensive lineman. He was unable to participate in team drills during the spring while recovering from January knee surgery.

Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said Tuesday that Mitchell made him aware of the incident after returning from a Fourth of July trip home to Georgia.

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" I'm aware that Ernest was issued a citation, " Petrino said Tuesday after taking part in a golf outing at Stonebridge Meadows. " I'm concerned about some of the things in the citation.

" Ernest came to me immediately to tell me. At this point, we're going to let the process take its course. "

Mitchell's brush with the law is one of several Petrino has been confronted with during his short tenure. Petrino announced twogame suspensions for linebacker Freddy Burton and receiver Marques Wade on Tuesday, and he's waiting for legal proceedings to take their course on Mitchell and linebacker Wendel Davis, whose confrontation with a man who allegedly struck his scooter resulted in felony first-degree criminal mischief charges.

In regard to the suspensions of Burton and Wade, Petrino said in a UA news release: " I want to continue to send the strong message that this type of behavior won't be tolerated in this football program. "

Petrino also briefly addressed Mitchell's injury status Tuesday with the start of fall camp looming Monday.

" I'm not really sure how the knee is coming along, " Petrino said. " I know he's been running and he's also had it swell up a couple times. It's just kind of wait and see. "

Jim Brooks of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette contributed to this article.