A sophomore Nicholls State University football player is out on bond after being arrested for not appearing in court in connection with a theft charge, authorities said.

Julien Gums, 20, of Foucher Street, New Orleans, is charged with contempt of court.

According to Thibodaux Police Lt. Clint Dempster, a warrant was issued for Gums’ arrest after he failed to show up to City Court due to a theft charge. The alleged theft was investigated by Nicholls State University Police in May 2019.

Thibodaux City Court prosecutor Brad Naquin said Gums pleaded guilty to theft on June 10, 2019, and was ordered to pay fines and court costs, restitution to the victim and complete 32 hours of community service.

Gums was also placed on one year of supervised probation, Naquin said.

"It appears that he has paid the fines, court cost and restitution, however, he failed to appear in court on Oct.17, 2019, for a show proof of his community service hours and the judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest," Naquin said.

Gums and another individual were arrested in May 2019 after finding a lost meal card and charged about $160 worth of food on it, Naquin said.

Gums had a breakout sophomore season for the Colonels in 2019. He led the team with 1,232 yards rushing on 214 carries and scored a team-high 16 touchdowns and was named to the All-Southland Conference first team in helping Nicholls win the SLC title and advance to the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs for the second year in a row.

He was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish jail, where he has since been released after posting a $2,500 bond.

Gums’ next court date is scheduled for May 11.

Sports Editor Kelly McElroy contributed to this report.

-Staff Writer Dan Copp can be reached at 448-7639 or at dan.copp@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanVCopp.