Univ. of Florida Gymnast Arrested After Gun Cache Found in Apartment

A University of Florida gymnast has been arrested after authorities found a small arms depot in her apartment.

Good news: Melanie Sinclair, a senior and nine-time All-America, didn't steal the the nine guns, two computers and a safe listed on the police report. Bad news: her boyfriend Bud Leonard Williams, a convicted felon, did, and he ratted her out to the fuzz as knowing the goods were hot.

Sinclair now faces two felony counts of larceny and one felony count of burglary of a dwelling unarmed, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

So how did po-po discover Williams' operation? He was arrested Sunday for allegedly carrying a loaded 12-gauge shotgun through the apartment complex. That might not raise suspicions in, say, Ramadi, but it still tends to freak people out in Gainesville. The Sentinel reports that Williams faces 11 counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, burglary, theft and theft of a firearm.

Sinclair, who set a school record 10.0 on the uneven bars on three occasions, has been suspended from the team, although that is probably the least of her worries at the moment.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

10-15-2009 @ 1:02PM

Ted Brown said...

I can't have much sympathy for someone who's stupid enough to be involved with a convicted felon who is still engaged in crimial activity.

10-15-2009 @ 1:21PM

txboobie1973 said...

She received those 3 perfect 10.0's because the judges knew she was packing heat....LOL!!

10-15-2009 @ 1:56PM

handhplymouth said...

It is a shame that someone with all that talent. Made such a bad choice as to be with a person like that. She has just made the rest of her life much tougher for herself.

10-16-2009 @ 8:23AM

swmazul said...

My thoughts exactly. Well said.

10-15-2009 @ 2:23PM

Nathan King said...

Can we expect anything else from the SEC?

10-15-2009 @ 4:51PM

ddazed69 said...

you must be from up north.... jealous of the accomplishments of the SEC. One bad apple does not reflect the entire conference bonehead

RockDad50 said...

She's a thug at heart.

10-15-2009 @ 3:29PM

TomW said...

Another girl with the world at her fingertips decides it easier to be a gangsta than capitalize on her fame and education. Really good choice in boyfriends wouldn't you say? Maybe she is one of those who is not really getting an education, just playing sports. Brings back memories of Marion Jones who was a beloved Olympian who got involved in steroids and a huge check scam that I think put her in prison for a while and cost her the gold medals she had won. Why chose crime when so many in the black community want and need roll models for black youth. Jones pretended to be a roll model at the same she committing felony after felony. I don't get it.

10-15-2009 @ 5:31PM

keccha said...

You mean 'role' model, right?

10-16-2009 @ 9:46AM

Gorgeous! said...

The problem I see in ALL these situations is that they are hooked up with idiot men.
"Gunman" is a phrase we are all familiar with. "Gunwoman?" Doesn't even sound like a real word. It's a shame that women still believe they need a man...any man.

10-15-2009 @ 3:48PM

fixcrunches said...

14% of the population commiting over 50% of the crime. I just don't understand why it is so hard for people to just be law abiding normal citizens.It would make everyone safer and happier.The respect for the rule of law is very important it is the only thing keeping me from beating the crap out of these thug types.

10-15-2009 @ 5:05PM

louisabc said...

IT IS A SHAME THAT SHE GOT INVOLVED IN THIS ACTIVITY,. IT ISN'T A GHETTO THING AS OTHER PEOPLE HAD WRITTEN. SHE SHPULD HAVE KNOW BETTER AND SHOULD HAVE THE BOOK THROWN AT HER. IT ISN'T A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR PEOPLE WHO WATCH THESE THINGS. BUT IT COMES DOWN TO ONE SAYING " YOU CAN'T FIX STUPID "

10-15-2009 @ 5:11PM

sharandper said...

This is the problem with the police, they know the weapons are the felon/boyfriends and most likely not hers, but they won't hesitate to take advantage of "their" system to charge and prosecute the gymnast. Shouldn't surprise anyone.

10-15-2009 @ 10:05PM

gonzo1 said...

you ever heard of aiding and abeting ? also criminal . just like if she would have been with him and he killed somebody in a robbery , knowing he had a gun , she would also be guilty of murder . that's the law of the land , if you don't obey it it will bite you in the ass !!!!

10-16-2009 @ 8:32AM

Corey said...

She knew the stolen weapons were there and she knew her "boyfriend" was a convicted felon, in posession of these firearms (which was illegal). Therefore SHE committed a crime. If you think, somehow, "the police did something wrong" or "were out to get her because she is black" then you are pretty messed up in the head.

10-15-2009 @ 5:40PM

wintermintgirl said...

What? I'm sure she thought she was so cool and untouchable. She should've kicked her boyfriends ass to the curb and get a conscience. She deserves just what she gets. How dare she bring that type of negative publicity to herself, the program, her coach and team mates at her school. BUT OF COURSE she didn't think of that. She was to busy protecting her 'home boy'!!

10-16-2009 @ 10:12AM

splatty77 said...

Preeeecisely! And don't forget we ARE talking about FLA here...

10-15-2009 @ 6:59PM

gene6500 said...

how unusual

10-15-2009 @ 7:26PM

armjoint1 said...

She knew the guns were there so it's her fault for continuing to see this jerk boyfriend. She should get the book thrown at her as well; no sympathy for her whatsoever. She's a college student so she knows about right choices at her age.