Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. is facing a misdemeanor criminal charge in Indiana following a recent traffic stop that led to the discovery of marijuana and THC products. The charge, officially filed on Monday, Oct. 19, stems from an encounter with law enforcement in the suburb of Carmel exactly one week prior.
According to court documents detailing the incident, a Carmel police officer initiated a traffic stop on Oct. 12 involving a black 2023 Dodge Charger. The vehicle was spotted traveling near the intersection of Springmill Boulevard and Silver Stream Drive. The initial reason for the stop was a registration issue; the officer noted that the vehicle’s registration had expired and, upon further investigation, determined that the license plate on the Charger was actually registered to an entirely different vehicle.
The situation escalated as the officer approached the vehicle. The reporting officer stated that a distinct odor of marijuana was noticeable while walking up to the car. When the officer addressed the smell with the driver, Richardson allegedly admitted to the use of the substance. Richardson reportedly explained to the officer that he had smoked inside the vehicle as a way to avoid doing so in the presence of his children. During this initial exchange, Richardson also reportedly informed the officer that he was in possession of a small amount of marijuana.
Richardson was subsequently asked to exit the Dodge Charger and was placed in handcuffs while the officer performed a search of the car’s interior. During that search, police located a small mason jar containing a substance suspected to be marijuana. Additionally, officers found an open bag of THC-infused gummies. Court records confirm that the contents of both the jar and the bag later tested positive for THC.
In the wake of the search, Richardson was cited for the expired registration and the misdemeanor possession count. While the legal process is in its early stages, Richardson has already waived his initial hearing, which had been set for Dec. 9. He has reportedly agreed to appear in Carmel City Court to address the charges moving forward.
The timeline for the legal resolution appears unusually extended, with online court records currently showing a bench trial scheduled for Jan. 4, 2027.
Richardson was a high-profile addition to the Indianapolis Colts roster in 2023, joining the team as the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL Draft following a standout collegiate career at the University of Florida. As of the time of reporting, the Colts organization has not provided a formal response or statement regarding the quarterback’s legal situation.
