Nicholls defensive end arrested with loaded gun, marijuana on campus

Nicholls State campus police arrested a Colonel football player on narcotics and gun charges the morning of June 21.

Junior defensive end Jariuis Jarvis, 21, was detained after campus police allegedly found a bag of marijuana in a drawer and a loaded 9mm handgun under the mattress in the bedroom of his La Maison du Bayou apartment.

Jarvis was charged with possession of narcotics, drug paraphernalia and a controlled dangerous substance in a drug-free zone, as well as possessing a firearm in a firearm-free zone while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Jarvis was released from the Lafourche Parish Jail that day on a $2,500 bond. His arraignment is scheduled for July 21 at 9 a.m. in Division D court.

Colonels football coach Jay Thomas has suspended Jarvis until a decision is made on whether he will face a university disciplinary hearing.

“We follow the same procedures. It’s handled in the same manner whether it’s an athlete or not,” said Dr. Eugene Dial, vice president of student affairs & enrollment services.

At the time of his arrest, Jarvis was given a summons to meet with the student judicial officer, Tommy Ponson.

If Ponson determines Jarvis’ arrest is a suspendable offense, Jarvis will go before the University Disciplinary Committee.

The burden of proof in such a hearing is not as high as a court trial.

“We’re not here to convict somebody in a court of law,” Vial emphasized. “We’re here to determine whether a student violated a university policy.”

According to the police report, around 4 a.m., Nicholls campus officers Sgt. Nelson Fields and Aquieta Hebert smelled burnt marijuana near Jarvis’ 1996 Chevrolet Caprice. The officers then spotted marijuana on the dashboard and stems on the ground near the vehicle.

After obtaining the vehicle owner’s address, officers went to Jarvis’ apartment, 145 Bowie Road, Apt. 432B. Jarvis gave the officers written consent to search his apartment and vehicle, the police report noted.

Dial said it is unusual for Nicholls’ student-athletes to be involved in criminal activity.

“I think it’s more a rarity than an occurrence,” he assured. “I would expect our student-athletes end up in legal trouble less than our general student population.”

Last season, Jarvis recorded 43 tackles and three sacks. His best game came in the team’s win over Rice when he had a game-high 14 tackles, a sack and forced and recovered a fumble.

Jarvis is a sports science major from Donaldsonville. He was an All-State defensive back and wide receiver at Ascension Catholic High School.

Authorities said he has no previous arrest record or university disciplinary problems.

“I’ve had passing conversation with him,” Dial recalled. “He’s always been a polite, respectful individual. This would be the first complaint that the university knows about.”