ATHENS, Georgia (Associated Press) — Rodarius “Rara” Thomas, a wide receiver for the Georgia Bulldogs, was arrested early Friday morning on accusations of violence and cruelty to minors. As a result of his arrest, the team has been suspended indefinitely, adding to the current legal issues that the squad has been facing.

At three twenty in the morning, Thomas was booked into the Athens-Clarke County jail on charges of misdemeanor violence and criminal cruelty to children, according to the records of the jail. As of the afternoon on Friday, the bail had not been determined.

In the past two years, Thomas has been arrested for the second time. A felony charge of false imprisonment and a misdemeanor count of family violence battery were brought against Thomas by the University of Georgia police on January 23, 2023. Thomas was a transfer student from Mississippi State University whose arrest occurred on that day. Following Thomas’s participation in a pretrial diversion program, the accusations against him were dismissed.

Details on Friday’s arrest, which also involve family violence violations, were not immediately available.

In a statement that was supplied to The Associated Press, Steven Drummond, the executive assistant athletic director for strategic communications at the University of Georgia, stated that “this is a pending legal matter.” We will not be able to provide any further commentary at this time.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart addressed at the Southeastern Conference media days on July 16 about trying to address repeated driving offenses by his players.

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Smart said players have been suspended and fined through the collective that distributes name, image and likeness fees to the school’s athletes. Smart’s strategy is to not make public announcements when players are suspended. A team official confirmed the suspension of Thomas.

Thomas is not anticipated to be ready when the Bulldogs open their season against Clemson on Aug. 31 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Georgia players have been implicated in 24 driving-related charges (DUI, reckless driving or speeding), The Atlanta-Journal Constitution has found, including a crash that killed a player and a recruiting staffer in January 2023.

“The incidents that have been happening off the field are not something we condone,” Smart said at the SEC media days. “It’s very unfortunate, disappointing, I guess is the best word.”

Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy were murdered in a car crash on Jan. 15, 2023, just days after the Bulldogs won the national title game.