Star wide receiver for UTSA football, Joshua Cephus, has pleaded “no contest” to his elevated driving while intoxicated (DWI) charge from July. The player has chosen to waive his right to a jury and has instead decided to accept a plea deal that requires probation, community service, DWI education and continued blood alcohol concentration (BAC) monitoring.
The plea comes nearly three weeks after Cephus’ bond conditions were modified to better accommodate his school and football schedules. In accepting the plea agreement, Cephus avoided serving up to 12 months in the Bexar County Jail.
In a statement to The Paisano, Cephus’ defense attorney, Desi Martinez, stated that the player “has accepted responsibility for his mistake and is doing what he can to put this behind him and move forward with his life.”
Cephus was initially arrested on Dec. 9, 2022, for a suspected DWI after rolling his car over near the main campus. The player was returning from Privat Social Club with fellow UTSA football player, Emmanuel Odetola, when he “lost control of his vehicle” while turning left at Babcock Road and UTSA Boulevard.
According to arrest records, the player’s first two breathalyzer attempts read as “Unacceptable” and “Deficient,” so he was sent downtown to provide a blood sample. The blood sample was taken approximately two hours after the crash.
Cephus was released after posting his $1,500 bond. He was not charged until the results of the blood analysis were received by San Antonio police in late June, confirming that the player’s BAC was 0.15 or higher, nearly twice the legal limit in Texas.
On Thursday, Nov. 9 — exactly 11 months after Cephus’ accident — the player and his attorney stood before County Court at Law No. 1 Judge Helen Stowe and pleaded “no contest” to Cephus’ charge of DWI with a BAC of 0.15 or higher.
A plea of no contest is not an admission of guilt, although it has the same legal effect as a guilty plea.
As part of his plea deal, the player acknowledged that there is scientific evidence showing his BAC was 0.15 or higher on the night of his arrest. The minimum BAC that warrants a DWI charge in Texas is 0.08.
Cephus is required to serve 15 months of probation and 48 hours of community service in addition to a $400 fine, court costs and a monthly supervisory fee. The player must also attend DWI education and a victim impact panel, where he will hear from victims and survivors of DWI crashes, and he must undergo an assessment to determine his need for addiction treatment.
Furthermore, Cephus must continue to use his portable alcohol monitor (PAM) during four specific testing windows each day for eight months. If there are any discrepancies with the PAM during the eight months, he will be required to use the device for the entirety of his probation period. The player is expected to refrain from consuming any alcohol during this time and may be asked to provide a urine sample while on probation.
Cephus was suspended from UTSA football following the accident on Dec. 9 and did not attend the Roadrunners’ final game of the season. He was allowed to return to team activities in January. According to Martinez, the player has served the entirety of his suspension with UTSA football.
Martinez disclosed to The Paisano via email that he originally wanted to take Cephus’ case to trial, as he believes there is evidence that “would have helped reduce his punishment,” but that the player wanted to accept the plea deal.
“Joshua made the right decision for him, his teammates, his school, this city and his future,” Martinez said. “I can’t fault him for his decision. I wanted a better deal for him because I know if he wasn’t on TV on Saturdays, he would’ve been offered better.”
According to his attorney, Cephus cannot provide a statement until his probation has ended.
