Former Transfer Charged With Theft

The Boiling Point: Former Purdue football player Calvin Smith appears in court after being kicked off team.

Former Purdue defensive tackle Calvin Smith appeared in court on Monday after stealing a necklace from teammate Antwon Higgs, according to court documents obtained by the Lafayette Journal & Courier.

According to a probable cause affidavit and supplemental police reports, investigators say Higgs reported the 10-karat, 30-inch gold chain missing on Sept. 12. He last saw it a week earlier when he left it in his car at Ross-Ade Stadium. Two weeks later the necklace was found at Tippecanoe Mall with the seller being listed at Smith. Smith reportedly received $1,553 for the necklace.

Initially, Smith denied involvement, but later admitted he was addicted to playing dice and owed someone $1,000. He was arrested by the Purdue Police Department on Sept. 28 and released from the football team in early October. He is being charged with a Class D felony.

Smith was a big-time recruit out of high school for New Mexico and was a significant get for coach Danny Hope when he transferred to West Lafayette earlier this fall.