ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith, from Grand Rapids, has been arraigned on a felony gun charge at the Washtenaw County court on Thursday. He was just charged due to delays in the process. The prosecutors department didn’t receive the police report until a week later on October 14. Then, a month later, on November 17, the charges were approved and a warrant was “sworn out” in front of a magistrate judge this week.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Smith was arrested at the scene on October 7, processed at the police station, but not made public until today when he was arraigned because he was released pending the Washtenaw County Prosecutor review. The prosecutor, Eli Savit clarified his statement to the Free Press saying that if Smith had remained in custody, the clock would have started on a decision on whether to charge him. The Michigan State Law requires an arraignment within 48 hours of an arrest.

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Smith was charged today and released on a personal recognizance bond. This means he is banned from traveling out of state, except when he is with the football team making him eligible to play in the Big Ten Championship game and possible College Football Playoffs. The University of Michigan hasn’t disciplined Smith at all over the situation as he has played since the incident on October 7 and both Director of Athletics Warde Manuel and Head Coach Jim Harbaugh issued statements on the situation.

Manual says, “We are aware of the charge against Mazi from a traffic stop back in October. Mazi was honest, forthcoming and cooperative from the very beginning and is a tremendous young man. He is not and never has been considered a threat to the University or community.”

Harbaugh’s statement was, “I have respect for our judicial process and with that respect brings confidence that a fair and just resolution is forth coming. Mazi’s character and the trust that he has earned over the past four years will continue to be considered throughout the process.”

The incident started after Smith was stopped on October 7 for speeding and that’s when the gun was discovered in his car. A press release from the police station said that Smith was found to be in possession of a handgun inside the vehicle without a valid CPL (concealed pistol license) and didn’t have his driver’s license at the time of the stop. Smith’s attorney, John Shea, said today in the court appearance that Smith was in the process of getting his concealed carry license when he was pulled over. He has been charged with a felony gun charge that has the possibility of up to five years in prison or a fine up to $2,500.

Smith will be with the team and playing in the Big Ten Championship on Saturday in Indianapolis.