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LOGAN — A former Utah State University football player is facing criminal charges after police say he used counterfeit money to buy shoes.
Tavian Darnelle Christopher Coleman, 21, was charged Jan. 10 with four counts of forgery, a third-degree felony, 1st District Court records show.
Utah State University's football website listed Coleman as a sophomore defensive tackle in 2022. He's now listed as a defensive line player on Texas State University's 2023 football roster.
Coleman was never arrested, records also show. He made his first court appearance on Monday.
The case began in November when a resident called police claiming Coleman had used counterfeit money to buy a pair of shoes, according to a statement from Smithfield police. The shoes had been listed for sale on a social media page and Coleman agreed to meet the seller at a Smithfield grocery store to make the transaction.
Police contacted Coleman, who said during questioning that he was given the counterfeit money while selling a pair of his own shoes to someone in West Valley City, the statement continues.
However, police say they never found the West Valley City buyer, but that Coleman tried to block the alleged victim on social media after selling the shoes in Smithfield.
