Denver second-year defensive back Faion Hicks was arrested near his hometown in Florida after a traffic stop on Saturday, police there confirmed Monday to The Post.
Hicks, 25, faces three charges, the most serious of which is a third-degree felony for carrying a concealed firearm, according to court records. As of Monday afternoon, Hicks had bonded out of jail in Broward County.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by The Post, Hallandale Beach police pulled Hicks over in a grey 2019 Mercedes Benz after he failed to stop at a stop sign shortly after 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Hicks was in the car along with two passengers, the affidavit stated.
The responding officer wrote in the affidavit that a strong odor similar to “fresh cannabis” emanated from the car. After informing Hicks of the odor, the officer asked when he last smoked marijuana in the car. According to the affidavit, Hicks immediately replied that there was “no weed in the car,” but later said he’d smoked in the car a few days earlier. The odor, along with Hicks’ lack of a medical marijuana card and his “nervousness,” prompted a search of Hicks and the vehicle.
According to the affidavit, the officer found a black handgun underneath the driver seat and a loaded magazine in the center console during the search. He also found a marijuana cigarette and four other bags containing suspected cannabis, according to the affidavit, but was unable to determine who the bags belonged to, so no charges or citations were made.
In addition to the concealed weapon charge, Hicks is charged with failing to yield at a stop sign and driving with a suspended license.
The South Florida native was originally drafted by the Broncos in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft. He spent most of his rookie season on the Denver practice squad and appeared in two games.
The Broncos declined to comment via a spokesperson.
