Da’Quan Bowers Reportedly Arrested
February 18th, 2013
Bowers was arrested while checking in for a flight with a loaded gun.
Da’Quan Bowers, a defensive end for the Buccaneers, was arrested at a check-in counter after he was found with a loaded .40 caliber firearm in his carry-on bag, spokesmen for the Port Authority and the Queens District Attorney’s office said. He was about to board a US Airways flight to Raleigh, North Carolina.
The former All-American player was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. A spokesman for the Buccaneers said Bowers is currently declining to comment as the organization investigates.
He’s scheduled to appear in court Monday evening.
Now Joe has dealt with Bowers many times and he’s been gracious with Joe and very kind and cooperative. Joe really believes Bowers is a smart guy.
However, forgetting you had a loaded rod with you walking into an airport — in New York, no less — is just not thinking.
February 18th, 2013 at 6:34 pm
*sighs* Definately the beginning of the off season.
February 18th, 2013 at 6:35 pm
Are you freaking kidding me???? How does someone forget that they have a loaded weapon when going to the airport? Dumb, Dumb, Dumb!
February 18th, 2013 at 6:37 pm
DJ:
Joe’s not going to crucify Bowers on this. Shockingly, this happens more often than you would believe. Shoot, Barry Switzer got busted for the same thing a year or two ago.
February 18th, 2013 at 6:38 pm
wtf………
*turns and bangs head against wall*
February 18th, 2013 at 6:44 pm
I’ll say this: i gave my GF my butterfly knife. We went to NY to visit her family for the summer last year. Before we left Atlanta, i specifically told her, “make sure you don’t have the knife in your purse, like you always do.” she said she didn’t. got to NY, had a blast of a time.
Time to fly back, we get stopped by security (in LaGuardia, no less) and her things were searched. Come to find out, the knife was still in her purse. Imagine that, we were able to fly out of ATL with a knife in the purse but not out of NY. So, i can definitely see how its possible that he didn’t know the gun was in his bag.
Unfortunately, ignorance is no excuse for the law, and this is also the same place where a man was jailed for 2 years for shooting himself, because he had a gun (see: Burress, Plaxico).
I have a really, really bad feeling about this.
This situtation benefits one person and one person only: Michael Bennett.
1. How much more did his value to the Bubcs go up?
2. How much more likely are they to resign him, now?
[gotta look for the silver linings]
GO BUCS!!!
February 18th, 2013 at 6:47 pm
Hopefully, Bowers is licensed to have a loaded gun.
February 18th, 2013 at 6:53 pm
Way to go Bowers.. pathetic
February 18th, 2013 at 6:55 pm
If he was popped at LaGuardia with a loaded gun, that probably means Da’Quan was running around New York with a loaded gun.
That simply is not smart.
February 18th, 2013 at 6:58 pm
Happened to my own dad in New York…as long as the gun is registered…nothing will hapoen…zero…..
February 18th, 2013 at 6:59 pm
How do you get a loaded gun TO new york? Words cannot express how stupid this is…
February 18th, 2013 at 6:59 pm
Guns… Sheesh… What a f**kin’ idiot.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:00 pm
Another Dominik 2nd round masterpiece.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:02 pm
@raphael your reaction is so freaking appropriate. Jesus Christ what an idiot. A loaded gun!!! Joe, no matter how smart someone may be if you dont have any common sense you are a fool. This team seems to be riddled with fools. Cut him, resign Bennett (who has got to be licking his lips and watching the price go up), sign another or draft one in the first or second. DAMN IT!
Instead of purging to find Buccaneer Men we first need to purge the freakin morons out of here. Then refine the search for Buccaneer Men.
Good God it’s hard to be a Buc fan
February 18th, 2013 at 7:03 pm
Adam:
So two years ago Mark Dominik should have consulted one of those fortune tellers in Madiera Beach to find out if Bowers was going to get pinched at LaGuardia with a gun?
February 18th, 2013 at 7:03 pm
Why do athletes think they need to be strapped? WTF is the problem? If you need to have a gun in public, you’re obviously going to the wrong places.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:04 pm
How much you wanna bet it wasnt registered. Its not cool to have it registered. Gotta be a gangster..f*ckin moron
February 18th, 2013 at 7:05 pm
its just amazing that dominick’s second rounders have panned out. Trading for win-slow, Price, Benn, and now Bowers. Can we put Lavonte David in a bubble until training camp starts.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:06 pm
Better get that new contract with Bennett done fast.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:08 pm
Bingo.
Joe has zero issue with anyone owning a gun. None. But if you have to pack heat on vacation or while taking a trip, maybe you need to rethink your plans.
FYI, unless Bowers has to do time, Joe doesn’t think this changes Bennett’s contract one red cent with Dominik.
Now if Bowers’ gun is unregistered, then he deserves to be ridiculed.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:10 pm
*sigh* gonna wait to hear the details.
Bowers is such an intelligent, talented person. This should be his year. Hope this isn’t as Damning as it sounds, because this guy can blow up the pocket. With an average secondary- this guy is double digit sacks
*sigh*
Fingers crossed
February 18th, 2013 at 7:11 pm
Yikes..
New York Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (NY Penal Law 265.03)
If you are convicted of this offense there is a mandatory minimum sentence of 3.5 year in prison and a maximum term of 15 years in prison. What compounds this matter is that this sentence is applicable for those with no previous record. In fact, even if you have a permit out of state, if you possess that firearm in New York without a permit here (see New York Airport Gun and Criminal Possession of a Weapon), you will still be charged with this offense.
http://www.new-york-lawyers.org/lawyer-attorney-1580412.html
February 18th, 2013 at 7:15 pm
Absence of forethought, no malice intended. Ok, call it dumb if that makes you feel better. But nothing is going to happen. As I recall, Shaun Rogers did the same thing a while back and was not suspended for it. This happens frequently, and will be handled routinely. We’ll talk about it for a day or 2, then get back to butchering the draft as we have been doing for the last few days!
February 18th, 2013 at 7:20 pm
Macabee:
Yes and no.
True, Rogers got popped for the same thing. Guessing the charges in Ohio don’t carry the weight of those in New York (see previous post).
Joe guesses Bowers pleads down to a lesser offense, pays a huge fine, serves a couple of days in the hole, and it is over.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:21 pm
All wealthy people have to have protection.
Bowers is a millionaire. There are lots of scumbags who would rob, kidnap, or threaten to injury these young millionaires for some of their money.
I always have protection- to safe guard myself and family.
The exception to that, is on an Airplane, in a bank, in a courtroom.
It’s just something you HAVE to remember. Guns get unloaded, and placed in the checked luggage.
*sigh*
February 18th, 2013 at 7:22 pm
Macabee…that was in Cleveland, Hopkins International Airport, not New York.
That being said, as a Bucs fan, hope you are right. But based upon the charge, I’m not so sure. And it was in a carry on, not in the luggage. Bad.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:23 pm
Folks: IF convicted he is GONE for good!
A second degree criminal charge is a MANDATORY 3 1/2 year jail sentence meaning even with good behavior he is in for at least 2 years!
http://www.new-york-lawyers.org/lawyer-attorney-1580414.html
This is ugly!
February 18th, 2013 at 7:24 pm
Joe,
Hope you are right. With all the “gun” issues in the news going on now, the timing couldn’t be much worse.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:26 pm
Lol lots of speculation and assumptions going on here.
If he’s licensed to carry a gun on his person than it was perfectly legal.(Not the bag bit)
Athletes??? Try the South period. I live in SC right now and there are grandma’s at church on Sunday that are “strapped”. (They’ve shown me)
This by no means means that Bowers is a bust, do you realize how stupid that sounds? Lol lets get the whole story before we stone the kid, even than its hardly anything to go all “it’s the end of the world” about.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:26 pm
I cant believe some want him cut.Wtf..hopefully dude has his propers and just pays fine.Although careless, this stuff does happen by accident.Could be he was going to check it(legal)and put in wrong bag(not legal). Fl does not have recipeocity of CCL with Ny.He will be fine,if no criminal intent.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:26 pm
Hellow!! My name is STUPID…
February 18th, 2013 at 7:27 pm
Horsesh*t. Bowers does not need a gun, nor do any of these athletes. It’s just paranoid to think they need to carry deadly weapons.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:27 pm
Bubba,
That is the way the law reads to me….but I’ve only taught some law classes and don’t claim to be anything close to a lawyer.
Hope they reduce it to some lesser charge, but if not and convicted, it seems pretty clear.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:28 pm
Mark- spot on. New York has the second worst gun laws in the Country, behind only the pathetic State of Cali.
If the early reports are accurate( hope they aren’t)- its bad
February 18th, 2013 at 7:28 pm
Spelling hello as ‘hellow’ is indeed stupid.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:28 pm
Why is there a picture of Stylez Greg White !?
February 18th, 2013 at 7:29 pm
I cant understand why a mammoth of a man has to carry a gun! Who is he afraid of? What is he protecting?
His millions in the bank, or the fans who want a autograph? Criminals? I thought that was the police job!
He really has a problem with the offseason.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:30 pm
PR…
Seems he must be licensed to have and carry a gun in NY. Others don’t count.
This is New York, not Red State “wild west” gun law.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:30 pm
“worst gun laws”… what because they impose stiff penalties for carrying loaded weapons in public? That’s bad? I guess in Uhmerkuh it may be.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:32 pm
It will be plead down. Plexico was offered a deal, but he turned it down thinking he could win the case. I think the entire world learned from his mistake. Bowers will plead to a lesser charge.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:33 pm
Was it Daquan Bowers who got busted or Stylez G. White?
February 18th, 2013 at 7:34 pm
I just read that BS, seems like they try and “trap” people.
So chances are it wasn’t technically loaded, it was prob in its case with the chamber also in the case.
Bowers is a great kid, I don’t believe he’ll do any time for this.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:34 pm
stupid. stupid. stupid.
if you have to have a gun when you go to NY when you can afford a personal body guard, then maybe you need to rethink what you are doing.
Hope he can sing and play his guitar to sweet baby Jesus or a really good lawyer to get his butt out of this bind.
Guns and aiports do not go together. How do you forget a FREAKING GUN in your bag? A small knife, straight razor, 6 ozs of shampoo understandable mistake.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:35 pm
Use your intuitive minds here people! This is Bowers gun, he doesn’t live in NY, and the gun is in NY. As inept as the TSA is you cannot get a loaded thru security. So evidently, Bowers used the proper means of transporting the gun to NY.
Any Court (judge) wil take that into consideration (a legal term of art) before any sentence is remanded. This is absence of forethought – he made a mistake! This will be handled by capable counsel and Bowers will miss no training time!
February 18th, 2013 at 7:37 pm
McBuc…that is my hope. Pleading to a lesser charge, if possible, would likely be the best case scenario.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:38 pm
Big mistake. NY has some of the toughest laws in the US regarding gun possession. I did a cursory check online and this reads like a class E Felony. I also read there is mandatory jail time. He’d better have one heck of a good story, and more importantly a good attorney, to get out of this. Now that DE in the first round looks more interesting. Joe – Thoughts?
February 18th, 2013 at 7:39 pm
He even told the security people before he checked in that he had the gun. He was trying to do the right thing, and was simply unaware of NY’s law. He doesn’t deserve a mandatory 3 and a half year sentence for this.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:39 pm
If we lose Bowers thats a wasted pick and it falls in the catagory of bust..with injury and off field troubles!
February 18th, 2013 at 7:42 pm
Many assumptions Macabee. Did he legally buy it there? Did he fly in and try to fly out with the gun? I don’t know. But you don’t either.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:42 pm
@Mark
The Wild West? You mean America? Lol
BTW it would be that he “didn’t” have a NY gun permit for NY as he doesn’t live there. Being the reason the NY TSA got him.
Did the check in legally elsewhere, but apparantly from reading Bubba’s link that doesn’t matter once you get into NY.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:49 pm
Curmudgeon, you are beyond ignorant and have no idea what the Second Amendment is about. I hope you mever need protection. Law abiding citizens that concealed carry make the world a safer place. Bowers made a mistake and it does happen a lot. New York is the worst place for it, but there obviously was no criminal intent.
I believe those that hate guns should follow their beliefs but don’t try to violate the rights of others. If you have ever been shot or faced armed robbers you might rethink Safe Gun Ownership. I have been both and carry a firearm everywhere I legally can. It is a last resort and backstop is everything.
If you want to make the US safer, tackle mental health and build intitutions again.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:50 pm
PR…my link is the same as Bubba’s. Carrying a gun on your hip with a long coat? Or in a shoulder holster near your heart? Sounds like the “wild west to me”. It wasn’t that way in most of America when I grew up.
The lawyer information about that specific law isn’t like murder or a similar felony…it doesn’t really deal with Mens Rea, malice or anything like that. Still hope can plead to some lesser charge.
February 18th, 2013 at 7:52 pm
Bowers is a kid I have followed closely from Clemson. He’s is a “Buccaneer Man” in every since of the word and VERY high in character.
I understand that to some what I’m about to say may not matter(and respect that) but I am stating it based on my beliefs.
Bowers is a good Christian man, who even plays in a gospel band for crying out loud. I’m not saying that make you a good Christian either, that was just an FYI. I base my comment on what I’ve seen from him walking it out.
Again, it may not matter to some. I respect your beliefs as well.
IMO it was an honest mistake and I’d be willing to bet on that.
I would be VERY surprised if it was anything of the sketchy sort.
February 18th, 2013 at 8:00 pm
I agree with PR Buc Fan.
At least he wasn’t carrying a Big Gulp. I believe that is a mandatory 10 in the Big Apple.
February 18th, 2013 at 8:03 pm
PR…not saying he isn’t a good man.
But carrying a loaded gun in your carry on, especially in NY? Oh man, there are some mistakes that you just can’t make…those that can mess up your life. And hopefully this isn’t one of them.
February 18th, 2013 at 8:03 pm
Seriously ? COME ON MAN !Seriously! how stupid can you be? Can you really be that stupid? How the hell will you learn a play book.. if your that stupid..
February 18th, 2013 at 8:06 pm
There’s no reasoning with 2nd amendment devotees. I said nothing about making guns illegal. I merely question why an athlete needs to be packing a weapon unless he’s putting himself in situations where a weapon would be used (like a criminal situation)
February 18th, 2013 at 8:08 pm
@Mark
I hear ya
February 18th, 2013 at 8:32 pm
Curmy you said he should not carry a firearm or need one for his protection. Everywhere is a bad place or a place where criminals will attack. There are no areas that are off limits to crooks and attackers. High profile athletes and celebrities are always targets for the mentally ill. Gun Free zones are the least safe place toucan be. Look at where all these major shootings occur. There easy targets and there are a lot of sickos out there that should be committed or on supervised medication.
Bowers should have turned around and walked out of the airport when he realized he had the gun. That’s what I would have done but he’s a kid. Get the hell out of there and deal with the gun. Ship it and catch a later flight. Bowers tried to do the right thing but made a mistake.
February 18th, 2013 at 9:20 pm
@joe… Psychic, no. But the level of psych tests leveled on these guys at the combine…. What was his GPA at Clemson? What was his SAT score? Either way, the 2nd round is the Kiss of Death for a Dominik Draftee.
Change his name in future posts from “Rock star General Manager” to “The Grim Reaper of the 2nd Round.”
February 18th, 2013 at 9:27 pm
Ms. Cleo speaks again.
February 18th, 2013 at 9:57 pm
As GM, you’re paid to vet these players. “Due diligence?”
Boy… every ever-fired GM in NFL history needs THIS fan base supporting him. We can just use the “They Aren’t PSYCHIC” defense! No one would ever lose a job!
February 18th, 2013 at 9:59 pm
But you are…
Thanks again Ms.Cleo