Former Ohio State football player arrested for kidnapping, carjacking and robbing a female in Memphis

Marcus Williamson, 23, has been charged with kidnapping and robbery after police say he forced a woman to withdraw $500 from an ATM in Memphis, Tennessee.

According to an affidavit obtained by WBNS, Williamson, a Westerville, Ohio, native, is accused of kidnapping a woman and taking her wallet and phone last Thursday, forcing her to drive to an ATM, and then giving the woman her debit card and telling her to withdraw the cash. The affidavit states Williamson then told the woman to get out of her vehicle before he drove away.

Williamson is currently being held on an 80,000 dollar bond.

He reportedly retired from football last year before the Rose Bowl. Williamson played in Ohio State’s first 12 games last season, mostly as a nickel cornerback. 

According to the affidavit, authorities found the woman’s vehicle being driven by Williamson the following day, pulling into a car wash. Williamson exited the vehicle and was seen throwing away items into a trash can before officers arrested him.

Officers pulled the items out of the trash can and confirmed they belonged to the victim.

Police presented a six-person photo lineup to the victim who identified Williamson as the individual officers arrested as the person who kidnapped, robbed and carjacked her.

Among the items pulled out of the trash at the car wash was a room key for a hotel in Memphis. Officers executed a search warrant at the hotel room and found Williamson’s identification, the affidavit says.

Williamson played five seasons with the Buckeyes, including a “super senior” fifth season in 2021 because of the 2020 COVID pandemic. He was a member of four consecutive Big Ten championship teams and two Ohio State teams that advanced to the College Football Playoffs, including the title game in 2021. Williamson played in 47 games and started 14 of them.