Two USC students were arrested in Kansas City after they were allegedly caught on the video stealing more than $1,000 in jerseys of first-round draft picks from the 2023 NFL Draft, which they were covering in journalism school.
Kansas City police said that Jude Ocañas and Eric Lambkins were observed on surveillance entering NFL Draft areas they were not supposed to have access to in the early-morning hours last Friday, following the first round, according to the Los Angeles Times.
They were credentialed for the Draft through Annenberg Media, the digital media outlet under USC’s journalism school umbrella.
According to police, Ocañas and Lambkins were seen entering “talent waiting room,” with the latter carrying a bag.
This bag was “fuller” when they left the room five minutes later.
The jerseys that were allegedly stolen were from the 49ers, Cowboys and Vikings; they all had the number 1, and no name on the back.
“These jerseys are used to give to players selected in the first round of the NFL draft and have a very sentimental meaning,” Kansas City police Det. Craig Leach described in the police report.
According to their own outlet, Annenberg Media, both students posted $2,500 bail on Saturday and have since returned to USC’s campus.
“Out of respect for our system of justice, we are not going to comment on the evidence outside of the courtroom,” their defense attorney, David Bell, told the student outlet.
“We are confident that the unique set of circumstances in this case, combined with the extraordinary reputations of Mr. Lambkins and Mr. Ocañas, will result in a fair and equitable resolution to all parties involved.”
USC issued a statement to the LA Times.
“While limited by student privacy laws in what we can share, we are cooperating with the authorities in this matter and will follow our internal processes with respect to any allegations of misconduct,” the statement said.
