FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas receiver signee JoJo Robinson will face no charges stemming from an alleged armed robbery last month in Miami, Robinson family attorney Larry Handfield said Thursday.
Robinson, 18, had been charged with one felony count of armed robbery in the April 22 incident in which Miami-Dade police said a pedestrian was robbed of a gold bracelet at gunpoint. Robinson was a passenger in the back seat of the car, driven by his high school teammate Lakeith Stafford. Keytoy Lee, who turned himself in to police two days after the incident, was identified as the gunman.
"All charges were dismissed against him, and I'm very pleased that after a thorough investigation he was cleared of all wrongdoing," Handfield told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Denise Georges, division chief of the Florida state attorney's office, prepared a "no-action" memo on Robinson's charge May 13 after a series of pre-file conferences with police and the victim, a minor who was walking with other minors at the time of the incident.
"Stafford and Lee have clear roles respectively as getaway driver and gunman, however Robinson's role is insufficient to prove anything more than mere presence," the memo read in part.
In the memo's summation, Georges wrote that while there was evidence that Robinson became aware of the crime as it was being committed, there was no evidence that he had prior knowledge of a criminal plan or had intent that the robbery be committed.
Robinson's original arraignment date was Wednesday, but the Miami-Dade prosecutor's office moved it up to late last week, revealing its decision not to pursue the charge last Thursday.
"Like I said in the beginning, I didn't think he had any involvement," said Joseph Robinson, the player's father. "It was a lesson learned. He's ready to go up there and be a Razorback. We're ready to make some good things happen up in Arkansas."
Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema declined a request though a university spokesman to comment on the resolution of Robinson's case.
JoJo and Joseph Robinson flew to Fayetteville for the Red-White game late last month, and Bielema briefly discussed their presence following the scrimmage.
"One of the things we always constantly pride ourselves on is doing everything right, on and off the field," Bielema said April 26. "I would say this: If there was any concern on my behalf, if there was any validity to it, he wouldn't be here. He's a great kid."
Robinson is considered a potential instant impact signee for an Arkansas receiving corps in need of big-play talent.
Originally a Florida State commitment, Robinson, 6-0, 185, switched to Arkansas and signed with the Razorbacks.
Robinson is a four-star prospect who caught 70 passes for 760 yards and 4 touchdowns last season at Miami Northwestern High School.
Sports on 05/23/2014