Senior running back Mario Pender has been dismissed by Florida State University following his arrest Saturday on charges of domestic battery by strangulation and resisting an officer without violence.

FSU released this statement Saturday evening:

"Florida State Athletics announced today that Mario Pender has been permanently dismissed from the football team following his arrest earlier in the day. The Athletics Department will have no further comment at this time."

According to Florida statutes, domestic violence by strangulation is a third-degree felony.



Pender, a senior from Fort Myers, missed most of last season due to injury and has battled a number of on- and off-the-field problems during his career. After being redshirted in 2012, he missed the 2013 season due to academics.

Pender's best season at FSU came in 2014 when he rushed for 206 yards on 41 carries. He only played in three games in 2015 before being sidelined by a collapsed lung. Pender did not participate in 2016 spring practice but was still on the roster.

Check back with Warchant.com for more on this developing story.

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