Nebraska running back Mekhi Nelson was arrested Saturday in Key West, Florida, after an alleged domestic dispute involving his pregnant girlfriend.
According to police records first obtained by TMZ Sports, the redshirt sophomore was taken into custody around noon at the Blue Flamingo Resort Key West and booked into the Monroe County Jail on a misdemeanor battery charge.
Officers responded to the resort at approximately 11:39 a.m. following reports of a disturbance. According to the police report, Nelson told responding officers he had been arguing with the mother of his children over another man who also shares a child with her. Nelson reportedly admitted that he has struggled with anger issues, telling officers his emotions “seemed to flare up” during the confrontation.
The woman involved gave investigators a different account of the incident.
She told police the argument began after Nelson became upset over how long it was taking her to get ready for the couple’s vacation activities. According to her statement, the disagreement escalated, prompting her to lock Nelson out of their hotel room.
She later allowed him back inside after he repeatedly pounded on the door, explaining to officers that she wanted to avoid creating additional problems during their stay at the resort.
Once back inside the room, the woman alleged Nelson became increasingly agitated. She told police that when she attempted to call her mother, Nelson grabbed her phone and threw it across the room. She further alleged that he ripped the top and bottom of her bathing suit from her body, causing scratches to her stomach and thigh.
According to the police report, officers observed injuries consistent with her statement.
The woman also told investigators this was not the first time law enforcement had responded to incidents involving the couple. She informed officers that she is currently seven months pregnant with their second child together.
Police also noted that Nelson became emotional while being transported to jail. According to the report, he cried during the ride and made statements saying he was “just like his father,” whom he said had been incarcerated during his childhood.
Nelson, listed at 6-foot and 195 pounds, is entering his third season with the Cornhuskers after redshirting as a freshman. He was expected to compete for a prominent role in Nebraska’s backfield this fall alongside Jamal Rule and Isaiah Mozee.
As with all criminal cases, the misdemeanor battery charge is an allegation. Nelson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Neither Nebraska Athletics nor Nelson has publicly commented on the arrest, and it is unknown whether the program will take disciplinary action while the legal process moves forward.
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