UCF dismissed junior defensive back Justin Hodges from the team on Friday following his arrest in connection with an alleged home invasion.
Police say Hodges was one of several suspects who barged into a high-rise condominium in downtown Orlando on Jan. 9. The intruders allegedly beat an occupant and robbed the residence before fleeing with his phone and other items, officials said.
Hodges, 20, was arrested Thursday on charges of home invasion robbery with a firearm and a mask. He was still behind bars as of Friday morning, according to the Orange County Corrections Department.
“Our detectives discovered the victim and his ex-girlfriend, Nevaeh Mosher, had a disagreement regarding a new male friend,” the Orlando police said in a news release. “After she returned to the apartment the previous night wearing the new male friend’s clothing. The victim discarded these items of clothing, causing Mosher to tell the owner of the clothes, who was identified as Justin Hodges.”
Mosher, who also was arrested, gave Hodges instruction on how to enter the secured building, detectives said.
Hodges, Mosher and two other men who are still being sought by police pushed their way into the apartment and struck the occupant in the face, according to the investigators. Surveillance video shows the suspects entering and exiting the property, per police.
Hodges played in 14 games for the Knights in 2022 and registered 40 tackles, two fumble recoveries, one sack and one interception.
“Justin Hodges has been dismissed from the football program,” read a statement Friday from UCF Athletics. “Per university policy, the UCF student conduct process will be initiated.”
