TALLAHASSEE — Deondre Francois became the subject of a two-month drug investigation after Tallahassee police received a tip and believed the Florida State quarterback possessed marijuana with the intent to sell, according to a search warrant obtained by the Orlando Sentinel on Tuesday.
The anonymous male tipster, who was in Francois’ apartment in late February, said he saw a large paper grocery-type bag full of cannabis, which TPD estimated at about two pounds, present during a drug-related crime.
The tip led to an investigation in which TPD collected and examined the contents of Francois’ curbside garbage on four separate occasions.
But when TPD concluded its investigation of Francois last Thursday, an executed search warrant conducted at his apartment yielded just 17 grams of marijuana among other items.
Francois, a former Orlando Olympia High standout, was not arrested and offered the chance to participate in a pre-trial diversion program after the search. He was not expected to play in FSU’s spring game last week and was present on the sidelines for the game.
New FSU football coach Willie Taggart said he met with Francois and discussed the matter, which the team was handling internally.
“He’s still with our football team,” Taggart said after FSU’s spring game.
” … We talked about his responsibility as a student athlete here, and he understands my expectations and what I’m looking for, especially when it comes to our quarterback.”
Francois worked this spring in a limited…