ORLANDO, Fla., March 19 (UPI) -- University of Central Florida wide receiver J.J. Worton was arrested after allegedly punching a sheriff's deputy in Orlando, authorities said.
Worton, 20, was charged with felony resisting arrest with violence and felony battery on a peace officer after an incident that began early Sunday during a St. Patrick's Day block party outside an Orlando bar.
Worton, who was released after posting undisclosed bond Sunday, had cursed at a deputy and refused his orders to leave the area of the block party, Orange County jail records say.
Authorities say a sheriff's deputy reported putting his hands on Worton's arm and that Worton had resisted and swung his fist at the officer, who eluded a punch.
Worton then ran through a parking lot and was found hiding under a vehicle, deputies said. When deputies tried to put handcuffs on him, he physically resisted and when a deputy grabbed him by the waistband, the officer said Worton "punched me in the face with a closed fist."
Deputies reported they forced Worton to the ground and used pepper spray to subdue him.
Worton was expected to start for the Knights in the coming season.
UCF Coach George O'Leary said in a statement, "When I collect all of the facts and know exactly what took place, we will deal with this situation in an appropriate manner."
