Utah State football: Two players face charges in separate incidents

Two players from the Utah State football team are facing separate legal troubles that landed them both in court early this week.

Senior receiver Ronald Butler, 22, was arrested Sunday on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. He appeared in Logan City Justice Court for the first time Tuesday to answer to two misdemeanor charges. If convicted, Butler could face up to 9 months in jail.

Junior receiver Bruce Natson, 19, known around the team as "Jojo," was in court Monday for a Class A misdemeanor theft charge. The player was assigned a lawyer and is scheduled to be back in 1st District Court on Aug. 4 for a pretrial conference. Natson, who was charged in April, could face up to a year in jail if convicted.

According to charging documents, police arrested Butler and booked him into Cache County Jail early Sunday before he was released on a $1,490 bond. He faces two charges: a Class B misdemeanor DUI and a Class C misdemeanor improper lane usage. Butler is scheduled to be back in court on July 22 for an arraignment.

Natson was charged in April with theft for allegedly taking money out of a bank account and improperly putting it into his own in late February, said Don Linton, the Chief Deputy at the Cache County Attorney's Office. 

The Logan Hearld Journal reported that University Police believe the money, between $500 and $1,500, was intended for a Utah State teammate. Together, Butler and Natson comprise a large chunk of the Aggies' returning offensive production. Natson is the leading returning receiver from last season, catching 59 passes for 395 yards and two touchdowns while also returning two punts for touchdowns. Butler caught 24 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns.

The Utah State athletics department declined to comment on the charges. Officials from Logan City Police were not immediately available.