HILLSBOROUGH — Georgia real estate agent Patrick Jones was the third indicted Monday in relation to the North Carolina football scandal.
The Cartersville, Ga., resident was indicted on one count of athlete-agent inducement. According to the indictment, Jones gave $725 to a woman identified as Constance Orr to give to former North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn around May 25, 2010.
UNC’s athletic website lists a Constance Orr on the softball team’s roster from 2009-13, but a UNC spokeswoman couldn’t confirm it was the same person.
Jones did not comment on his charges after appearing in court Monday morning.
Orange County District Attorney Jim Woodall said last week the charges are the first of their kind and aim to protect athletes and institutions from agents.
“The reason for the act is to try to deter agents and people who work for agents inducing athletes who have eligibility left from signing contracts because then they lose their eligibility,” Woodall said last week. “They’re in jeopardy and the institution that they play for is in jeopardy.”
In a search warrant unsealed in September, Jones admitted to being a longtime friend of sports agent Terry Watson. The affidavit stated a FedEx package originating from Jones’ address in Georgia was delivered to Marvin Austin on May 5, 2010.
In the affidavit, Jones admitted to sending money to student athletes at the request of Watson. Jones said the money was sent with the intention of encouraging athletes to enter into a contract with Watson.
Like the other athlete-agent inducement charges in this case, Jones faces a Class I felony, punishable with a maximum of 15 months in prison. If there is no prior record, or only a minor record, the defendant cannot face prison time, and will be put on probation, Woodall said last week.
