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Palm Beach Post (Florida)
A Boca Raton High standout football player will have to wait before he's allowed to join his teammates for spring practice, despite a judge's ruling that permitted his participation.
Shelley Singletary, an 18-year-old running back and defensive back considered a major college prospect, has been on house arrest since his arrest Jan. 25 on a felony charge. Singletary is accused of forcibly removing Air Jordan sneakers from an 11-year-old boy and stealing his bike.
Judge Samantha Schosberg Feuer modified the terms of the house arrest twice, once to allow Singletary to return to classes at the high school and then on March 16 when she approved a defense request clearing the sophomore to take part in spring practice.
However, Boca Raton High principal Susie King informed the school's football staff that Singletary cannot take part in any team functions until his criminal case is resolved.
"The student has been cleared by a judge to participate in activities," according to a statement released by Palm Beach County Schools. "However, he has not been cleared by Boca Raton Community High School to practice or be part of the school's football team. At this time, he is in no way affiliated with the team or the spring season."
Singletary was in a car with three juveniles Jan. 25 when they spotted the 11-year-old riding his bike in the Oaks of Boca neighborhood, west of Florida's Turnpike and south of Yamato Road.
Singletary and one of the juveniles allegedly pulled off the boy's sneakers and took his bike, according to an arrest report.
One of the juveniles returned shortly after the robbery and warned the boy he would face retaliation if police were called, the report said.
The victim picked Singletary out of a police photo lineup and he was arrested by Boca Raton police Jan. 30 during lunchtime at Boca Raton High.
Singletary was released from the Palm Beach County Jail after posting a $25,000 bond and placed on house arrest with an ankle monitor to keep track of his movements. He was allowed to return to school after a Feb. 21 court ruling.
Singletary, a 5-foot-10, 170-pound two-way player, is ranked by MaxPreps, a college football recruiting website, as the state's No. 193 prospect.
The website 24/7 Sports reported in January that the University of Kentucky offered Singletary a football scholarship for 2018. NCAA rules prohibit schools from publicly discussing recruits until they sign letters of intent.
Singletary, who will turn 19 in September, is entering his final season of high school eligibility even though he will be listed as a junior. State rules allow students to participate in athletics until reaching the age limit of 19 years, 9 months.
Singletary's next court appearance is scheduled for June 19.
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