Former NBA guard Earl “J.R.” Smith was arrested in North Texas on a family violence assault charge. An automated license plate reader alerted local police to his vehicle on Interstate 30. Authorities confirmed the 41-year-old two-time NBA champion was driving before taking him into custody without incident.
- Traffic Stop and Arrest Details
- Charges and Custody Status
- Professional Basketball Career and Post-NBA Life
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What charges does J.R. Smith face?
- Where was J.R. Smith arrested?
- Which police department issued the warrant?
- Is J.R. Smith currently in jail?
- Which NBA teams did J.R. Smith play for?
Traffic Stop and Arrest Details
Royse City Police Department officers intercepted the vehicle on eastbound I-30. An automated license plate system flagged the car for an active arrest warrant originating out of Southlake, Texas. According to police statements, Smith was behind the wheel when officers pulled the vehicle over.
Smith’s brother was present in the vehicle at the time of the traffic stop. After officers verified the active warrant, they released the vehicle to Smith’s brother. They then transported the former basketball star to jail.
Charges and Custody Status
Officers booked Smith into the Hunt County Detention Center on a charge of assault causing bodily injury family violence. Jail records indicate that no bond has been set for the 16-year NBA veteran. Meanwhile, the Southlake Police Department confirmed that an ongoing investigation into the matter is active. Officials have declined to release further details regarding the specific incident prompting the warrant.
Professional Basketball Career and Post-NBA Life
Drafted straight out of high school in 2004, Smith played 16 seasons in the NBA. His career spanned several franchises, including the New Orleans Hornets, Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers. He earned the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award during the 2012-13 season as a member of the Knicks.
Smith later secured two NBA championships alongside LeBron James. He won titles with the Cavaliers in 2016 and the Lakers in 2020. Following his time in the league, Smith enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University. He competed on the men’s golf team there and graduated with a liberal studies degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges does J.R. Smith face?
J.R. Smith was booked on a charge of assault causing bodily injury family violence.
Where was J.R. Smith arrested?
He was arrested during a traffic stop on eastbound Interstate 30 in Royse City, Texas, a suburb northeast of Dallas. The arrest was based on an outstanding warrant out of Southlake, Texas.
Which police department issued the warrant?
The active arrest warrant originated from the Southlake Police Department.
Is J.R. Smith currently in jail?
Yes, he was booked into the Hunt County Detention Center. Jail records indicated that no bond had been set following his arrest.
Which NBA teams did J.R. Smith play for?
During his 16-season career, Smith played for the New Orleans Hornets, Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers. He won championships with the Cavaliers and Lakers.
