Former University of Utah running back Tavion Thomas has reached a plea agreement in a misdemeanor domestic violence case in Bluffdale.
Thomas was charged in March with a class B misdemeanor for allegedly harassing an ex-girlfriend in the wake of a breakup.
According to a police report obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune, the woman told police Thomas repeatedly called her, sent her direct messages on various apps and sent more than 350 text messages after he she told him to stop contacting her.
Thomas, 24, entered a guilty plea last week in Bluffdale Justice Court that will be held in abeyance and dismissed after he has completed the terms of his probation. As part of the plea, Thomas must adhere to a protective order that prohibits contact with his ex-girlfriend. He will also pay a fine of $740.
The misdemeanor was the last outstanding criminal charge facing Thomas, who earlier this year was arrested and held in the Salt Lake County Jail for nearly three weeks on multiple felony domestic violence charges.
Prosecutors alleged Thomas threatened his new girlfriend with a knife on April 4, took away her phone and car keys and told her that if she called authorities, she would be “dead before the police arrive.” As part of a plea agreement Thomas entered to in May, eight of the 10 charges against him were dismissed. The other two will be held in abeyance, which means he is not yet convicted. If Thomas successfully serves three years of probation, the charges will be reduced and his guilty pleas will be entered to two class A misdemeanors.
Thomas’ girlfriend defended the former star running back in court and told a judge the man had stopped taking needed medication, which contributed to his actions.
“With humble pride I take full responsibility for my actions,” Thomas posted on Twitter after resolving his felony case in May. “With the help of my amazing attorneys, family and wonderful team of mental health professionals, I am beyond blessed, healing and bound to be the best me that I can be.”
