Georgia WR Rodarius 'Rara' Thomas arrested on family violence charges

Georgia wide receiver Rodarius "Rara" Thomas was arrested early Friday on a felony charge of cruelty to children-family violence and two misdemeanor counts of battery-family violence. According to records from the Athens-Clarke County Jail in Athens, Ga., Thomas was booked at 3:20 a.m. No bond was set. Georgia law uses the term "family violence" similarly to how other states use the term "domestic violence." This is the second time the Eufaula, Ala., native has been arrested on family violence charges. In January 2023, Thomas faced charges of felony false imprisonment and misdemeanor battery after the University of Georgia police said he prevented a woman from leaving a dorm by blocking her exit and telling her she couldn't leave, and of causing bruises to the woman's body, according to ESPN, which reviewed an arrest warrant. Thomas successfully completed a pretrial diversion program to have those charged dropped in March 2023. The Athletic reported that Thomas was held out of much of Georgia's spring practice as a disciplinary measure. Georgia officials were aware of the latest arrest. "This is a pending legal matter. We will have no further comment at this point," Steven Drummond, Georgia's associate athletic director for strategic communications, told The Athletic. Thomas, 21, spent two years at Mississippi State before moving to Georgia via the 2023 transfer portal. In 11 games (eight starts) for Georgia last season, he notched 23 catches for 383 yards with one touchdown. With the departure of star tight end Brock Bowers and receiver Ladd McConkey to the NFL, Thomas was expected to play an important role for Georgia's passing game. --Field Level Media