update
1:53 PM PT — The Gainesville Police Department executed a search warrant Wednesday at the residence of Jalen Kitna, Florida, after receiving information that a Discord user distributed “images of child sexual abuse material” through a social media messaging platform. said he did.
update
According to the police, an investigation revealed that this account belonged to Kitona…and a total of two images were actually distributed from there.
update
Police said when they got in touch with Kitona at the residence, he “remembers sharing two images, but believes they’re ‘legal’ because they found them online.”
update
Police say Kitona admitted she shouldn’t have shared the photo.
update
Police claim Kitna’s electronics were seized as part of a search warrant. A subsequent search, according to the Florida Gators, revealed that his football player had three additional images of him in the child sexual abuse material. They arrested him and charged him with five counts: two counts of distributing child exploitation materials and three counts of possessing child pornography.
update
1:33 PM PT — The Gators have just mentioned an arrest… saying that Jalen Kitna has been suspended from the team indefinitely.
update
“We are shocked and saddened to hear the news regarding Jalen Kitna,” the statement read. “These are very serious charges and the University of Florida and the UAA will not tolerate such conduct. Jalen has been suspended from the football program indefinitely.”
update
1:14 PM PT — A spokesperson for the Gainesville Police Department said: TMZSports … Jalen Kitna was indicted on five separate charges. Two for distribution of child exploitation materials and three for possession of child pornography.
Florida Gators Quarterback Jalen Kitna — Son of former NFL star John Kitna — TMZ Sports learned of the arrest Wednesday in Florida.
A 19-year-old boy had just been in jail minutes earlier.
Details regarding his arrest were not immediately disclosed.
Originally from Burleson HS, Texas, Jalen rose to fame after joining the Gators in 2020. He joined the team in his 2021 season and was redshirted. He saw his first action on the field this season, making his Eastern debut against Washington in October.
In total, he has made four appearances for UF. His best performance came against EWU, where he scored a 152-yard throw and a touchdown.
There was speculation that he could start the team’s bowl game later this year. Anthony RichardsonCoveted NFL Draft prospect opts out of postseason contest.
Jalen’s father, Jon Kitna, played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks throughout his career and was named the 2003 Comeback Player of the Year. He threw for about 30,000 yards and scored 169 touchdowns in his 14 seasons.
First Published — 12:40 PM PT