Anthony Richardson arrested queries spiked after court records showed the Indianapolis Colts backup quarterback faces a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge. The charge stems from a traffic stop on October 12, 2026, in Carmel, Indiana. Officers pulled over Richardson’s black 2023 Dodge Charger near Springmill Boulevard and Silver Stream Drive. The vehicle’s registration had expired and belonged to a different car.
Court documents detail what unfolded next. An officer approached the vehicle and noted the odor of marijuana. Richardson told the officer he had smoked in the car so he would not smoke in front of his children. He also stated he had a small amount of marijuana with him. Richardson stepped out of the vehicle. Officers handcuffed him while they searched the car. Police found a small mason jar holding a substance believed to be marijuana. They also located an open bag of THC-infused gummies. Both items later tested positive for THC.
Details of the Traffic Stop and Search
The stop began because of the expired and mismatched registration. Officers did not report any other traffic violations as the primary reason for the stop. Richardson complied and pulled over. Once the odor became apparent, the conversation shifted. His statements about smoking in the vehicle and possessing a small amount led directly to the search. The handcuffs were used during the vehicle search. No reports indicate officers transported Richardson to jail or booked him at that time. He received a citation for the expired registration. He agreed to appear in Carmel City Court.
The misdemeanor possession of marijuana charge was filed on Monday, October 19, 2026. Richardson waived his initial hearing that had been set for December 9, 2026. Online court records list a bench trial for January 4, 2027. The case remains in Carmel City Court. No further hearings have been publicly detailed beyond the trial date. Richardson has not issued a personal public statement on the charge as of October 23, 2026.
Colts Organization Response
The Indianapolis Colts released a brief statement once the charge became public. “We are aware of the situation involving Anthony Richardson and are currently gathering additional information. We will have no further comment at this time.” Team officials had not responded to earlier media inquiries before issuing that statement. Richardson continues to serve as the top backup quarterback behind starter Daniel Jones. He has practiced through the recent days and remained active on the roster. The team has not announced any disciplinary action or roster change tied to the charge.
Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Florida, entered the 2026 season as the clear second-string quarterback. He won the backup role in training camp over Riley Leonard. His path included an earlier trade request that did not materialize. He remains under contract through the current season. The charge arrives while he holds that backup position and has not taken significant regular-season snaps this year.
Timeline of Key Events
- October 12, 2026: Traffic stop occurs near Springmill Boulevard and Silver Stream Drive in Carmel. Officers cite expired registration, note marijuana odor, handcuff Richardson during the search, and locate the mason jar and THC gummies.
- October 12, 2026: Richardson receives citation for registration issue and agrees to appear in court.
- October 19, 2026: Misdemeanor marijuana possession charge is filed.
- December 9, 2026: Initial hearing date waived by Richardson.
- January 4, 2027: Bench trial scheduled in Carmel City Court.
Clarifying Reports of an Arrest
Many online searches use the phrase Anthony Richardson arrested. Court documents and local reporting describe a traffic stop that led to a filed charge. Officers handcuffed Richardson while searching the vehicle. They issued a citation and released him to appear later. No public records show a formal booking into jail or an overnight detention connected to this incident. The distinction matters for accuracy. A charge filed after a stop differs from a traditional custodial arrest with booking. Readers searching for updates can track the Carmel City Court docket for the next official developments.
The substances recovered tested positive for THC. The mason jar held what police described as a substance believed to be marijuana. The open bag contained THC-infused gummies. Richardson’s statements to the officer appear in the court documents. Those statements address why he smoked in the vehicle and confirm he possessed a small amount. No other charges appear in the available filings beyond the misdemeanor possession count and the registration citation.
Current Status and Next Steps
As of October 23, 2026, the case sits pending the January 2027 bench trial. Richardson has waived the earlier hearing. The Colts continue gathering information and have limited their public comments to the single statement. Richardson remains listed as the primary backup. Practice reports indicate he has continued participating without announced restrictions tied to the legal matter. No NFL league office action has been publicly reported in connection with the charge.
Fans and observers can follow the court schedule for updates. The January 4, 2027, trial date provides the next major public marker. Until then, the information rests on the filed charge, the traffic stop details in court documents, the test results on the recovered items, and the team’s limited response. Further details may emerge as the case proceeds through Carmel City Court.
The situation centers on the documented traffic stop, the filed misdemeanor charge, and the upcoming court date. All confirmed elements come from court records and the team’s public statement. Richardson’s role with the Colts remains unchanged based on available information as of today. Readers tracking the story will want to watch for any additional court filings or team updates in the coming weeks.
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