GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida starting wide receiver Chris Rainey was charged with aggravated stalking, a third-degree felony, and taken to the Alachua County jail at 3:17 a.m. today for allegedly sending a threatening text message to a woman he has dated in the past.
Rainey made his first court appearance this morning, however, and the woman involved said it was a misunderstanding and asked for the charges to be dropped.
"I did not want to have him arrested last night. When the police came, I signed papers to not press any charges,'' said Kelley Anderson, the woman in the case, at first appearance. "I don't fear for my safety. I think he should be released on his own recognizance.'
'Anderson and Rainey have a relationship that dates back several years.
Her sister, Lauren Anderson, was the one who called the police. She said she only called them to defuse the situation.
She said she told the police when she called, "This is not an emergency.''
Rainey was released on his own recognizance. He cannot have contact with Anderson and he has a 10 p.m.-7 a.m. curfew except for school or work related issues.
Kelley Anderson said she was more concerned about retribution from the public and said the incident was being blown up in the media. She said she has already received threatening calls on her cell phone.
Gainesville state attorney Bill Cervone said immediate action will not be taken in the case.
"We will look at the case and the circumstances involved and make a decision as to what charges, if any, are appropriate to pursue as quickly as possible but no decision is going to be made this week,'' Cervone told
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