Florida Gators backup quarterback Jalen Kitna was arrested on Wednesday on five counts of child pornography, and is expected to be released today.
Judge Meshon Rawls set the bond at $80,000 and as conditions for Kitna’s release ordered him not to have any unsupervised contact with minors and not to have any internet access.
He has also been suspended by the university, following the arrest.
“We are shocked and saddened to hear of the news involving Jalen Kitna,” the university said in a statement, per Fan Nation’s Zach Goodall. “These are extremely serious charges and the University of Florida and the UAA have zero tolerance for such behavior.
“Jalen has been suspended indefinitely from the football program.”
The Gainesville Police Department released a statement Wednesday (via CBS4) saying they received an anonymous tip accusing a user of distributing child pornography on Discord. Officers were able to trace the posts to Kitna, who police said admitted to sharing images he thought were “legal” because he found them online.
A search of Kitna’s electronic devices allegedly uncovered three additional images of child pornography. He was arrested and charged with two counts of child exploitation material and three counts of possession of child pornography.
Kitna sobbed into his hands when his parents, including former NFL quarterback Jon Kitna, address the court during a 75-minute appearance.
Jalen Kitna was at the Alachua County Jail and on a closed-circuit feed when Jon and Jennifer Kitna stepped to a podium in the courtroom and promised they would supervise their 19-year-old son back home in Burleson, Texas.
