Florida lineman arrested amid rape claims

GAINESVILLE, Fla., Feb. 25 (UPI) -- An ex-girlfriend of Florida Gators offensive lineman Carl Johnson, who is in police custody, alleges the football player date-raped her three times.

The unidentified woman alleges that between September and November last year, Johnson date-raped her as they maintained a relationship that involved routine physical and emotional abuse, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution said Tuesday.

Johnson was expected to start at tackle this year for Florida.

The 6-foot-7-inch, 350-pound lineman was arrested Feb. 16 on a charge of violating a temporary restraining order that was requested by his unidentified former girlfriend.

The woman also alleged in the petition for the restraining order that Johnson, a 21-year-old junior, informed her one of his life goals was to "shoot and kill someone," The Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported.

Steve McClain, a spokesman for the Florida Gators, said the legal situation is being evaluated by the school's football program.

The Sentinel said, according to the State Attorney's Office, Johnson has yet to charged in relation to the date-rape allegations.