Associated Press

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama linebacker Tim Williams has been charged with carrying a pistol without a permit.

Campus police arrested Williams on the misdemeanor charge at about 1 a.m. Thursday in his vehicle in a grocery store parking lot two days before the top-ranked Crimson Tide’s game with Kentucky.

Court documents show that officers smelled marijuana coming from Williams’ parked car, and found a bag containing the drug in the center console and a Glock 41 pistol under the driver’s seat.

Passenger Tykheem Dunaway said he was holding the marijuana for a man named Brandon Chicken, according to the court filings. Williams told police that he bought the gun while at home in Louisiana three weeks earlier and was given a temporary permit.

He didn’t have the permit with him but did produce a receipt. Williams was released on $300 bond.

“This kind of behavior is not condoned in our program,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said in a statement. “We are currently in the process of reviewing all of the information. Once we have a complete understanding of the situation, we will determine what we need to do in terms of the appropriate discipline.”

Dunaway and Leon Brown Jr. were both charged with second-degree possession of marijuana.

Williams emerged as a star pass rusher for the Tide last season, recording 10.5 sacks without starting a game. He’s starting this season and has 1.5 sacks, six tackles and a forced fumble through four games.

Several Tide players were arrested over the summer, but guard Alphonse Taylor was found not guilty of driving under the influence and a Louisiana prosecutor opted not to pursue drugs and weapons charges against left tackle Cam Robinson and defensive back Hootie Jones.