Coastal Carolina running back arrested, released from team

Jah-Maine Martin, Coastal Carolina's running back, and four other men were arrested on July 10 for illegal possession of firearms. The former Conway High School standout was released from the team later in the month.

At 11:15 a.m., police pulled over a silver Cadillac that was going over the speed limit on Highway 544. Martin, the driver of the Cadillac, pulled into the Coastal Carolina football parking lot where the officer then proceeded with a routine traffic stop, according to a police report.

The report said that during the stop, Martin, 19, gave permission to officers to search the car.

One passenger in the car, Dae'Shaun Page, 19, attempted to run from the scene but was chased down by CCU officers near Highway 544, according to the report.

The report stated while officers were searching the car, they found two .9mm handguns, two magazines and 16 bullets behind the driver's seat underneath a shirt where Page was sitting.

One of the firearms was reported stolen out of Conway. Martin, Jerron Bellamy, 20, Quindon Burroughs, 20, and Dorein Vereen, 19, were all arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

Martin was going into his sophomore year at Coastal Carolina and had an active freshman year, stepping up big in a 48-17 win at Presbyterian on Oct. 29 where he had 120 yards rushing to go along with two touchdowns.

Martin finished his freshman year playing in four games, rushing for 171 yards on 27 carries and scoring two touchdowns.

Interim head coach Jamey Chadwell talked about Martin’s future with the team and with the University during a press conference that was held on Aug. 30.

“It most likely is a done deal,” said Chadwell. “We are still waiting to hear from the University on what their final decision is. Once we get their decision, we will decide where to go from there but, as of right now, you won't be seeing him any time soon.”

Martha Hunn, associate vice president of University Communication, said the University generally does not disclose the outcomes regarding student disciplinary records.

Jah-Maine Martin, 19, was arrested and charged with unlawful carry of a pistol. (J. Rueben Long)