Tavian Darnelle Coleman football rooster photo.
LOGAN — A 21-year-old former Utah State football player has been charged with fraud, after he allegedly tried to use counterfeit money to purchase a pair of shoes. Tavian Darnelle Coleman is no longer on the team after transferring to Texas State last month.
Coleman made his initial appearance Monday morning in 1st District Court. He was charged with four counts of forgery, a third-degree felony.
According to Smithfield City Police Chief Travis Allen, a resident called police in November, claiming Coleman had used counterfeit money to purchase a pair of shoes. The merchandise had been listed on a social media page and the two had agreed to meet at a Smithfield grocery store to make the transaction.
Police contacted Coleman as part of their investigation. During questioning, he claimed that he was given the counterfeit money while selling a pair of his own shoes to a person in West Valley City, Allen said.
Police were never able to locate the West Valley City individual. They also found that Coleman had tried to block the alleged victim on social media after selling the shoes in Smithfield.
During Monday’s arraignment, Coleman requested a public defender. He told the court he was unemployed and his only source of income was from a football scholarship.
Judge Spencer Walsh assigned defense attorney Cameron Cox to represent Coleman. He ordered the suspect to appear again in court March 27.
Coleman was never booked into jail. He could face up to one year in prison for each charge, if convicted.
According to USU’s football rooster, Coleman played in all 13 games last season, making four starts. He finished the season with 26 tackles, 12 solo and 14 assist.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
will@cvradio.com