Colts' Andrew Jackson guilty of DUI, his 2nd arrest in year

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Andrew Jackson was arrested early Friday in Kentucky on a drunken-driving charge and pleaded guilty later that day.

It was Jackson's second such arrest in less than a year, the other on a DUI charge in Muncie.

It is also the second time in just over a week that the end of the Colts' season was marred by the arrest of a player, after another Colts linebacker, Josh McNary, was charged Jan. 14 with rape.

McNary has denied allegations that he raped a woman after a night of drinking at a Downtown bar, and a not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

Bowling Green police said Jackson was arrested at 4:15 a.m. Friday, after an officer observed his car "swirling from side to side," while traveling west on University Boulevard. The officer said that when he stopped the vehicle, Jackson had the "odor of alcohol" on his person and coming from his vehicle and the officer said he had "bloodshot, watery eyes and slurred speech."

Jackson was given a field-sobriety test, arrested and then transported to Warren County Regional Jail, where he was given a breath test and recorded a blood alcohol content of 0.088, above the limit of 0.08 at which a person is considered to be driving drunk.

Jackson, 22, Carmel, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and reckless driving Friday in Warren District Court in Bowling Green, Ky., and was sentenced to 14 days of home incarceration and participation in an alcohol and drug education program. His driver's license also was suspended for a year in Kentucky and Florida, his home state.

Jackson, who was released from jail at 12:30 p.m. Friday, was ordered to pay fines and court costs of $1,000 at his next court appearance on May 20.

Muncie City Court records also show that a case was filed against Jackson on June 24, charging him with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, speeding and failure to use a turn signal.

In a plea agreement filed Sept. 2, the court agreed to defer prosecution on all charges if Jackson agreed not to break the law for a one-year period, to attend an alcohol and drug program, and complete 40 hours of community service.

The court later said Jackson completed his community service and paid related fees, but on Oct. 8, the court found that he had not complied with the required treatment program.

On Nov. 18, the court reinstated the deferment program and ordered that all charges be dropped if Jackson agreed to supervision through Delaware County Community Corrections' drug and alcohol program for 365 days.

It is not yet known how Jackson's latest arrest and conviction will affect his Muncie case, or whether the NFL will take any action.

Jackson was the Colts' 2014 sixth-round pick from Western Kentucky and began to emerge as a special teams contributor and as a short-yardage inside linebacker as the season neared its end.

Coaches laud his toughness both in the kicking game and on defense, as Jackson has established himself as one of the team's hardest hitters.

Jackson played in 13 games this season, registering 10 tackles and one sack.

Colts officials would not immediately comment on the case.

Colts Reporter Stephen Holder contributed to this story.

Call Star web producer Dwight Adams at (317) 444-6532. Follow him on Twitter: @hdwightadams.