Nebraska running back Mekhi Nelson was arrested Monday in Key West and booked on a misdemeanor battery charge, turning what should have been a laid‑back resort day into a legal headache. Officers took Nelson into custody at a local resort, and a booking photograph circulated online after he was processed.
As reported by TMZ, the redshirt sophomore was taken into custody around noon at the Blue Flamingo Resort Key West, then transported to a nearby jail before being booked on a misdemeanor battery count. The resort's official site lists its Key West location at 3820 N Roosevelt Blvd, and TMZ published a mug shot the outlet says it obtained during booking.
Nelson's Husker resume
Nelson is listed on the University of Nebraska roster as a redshirt sophomore running back who is entering his third season with the program, according to Nebraska Athletics. Public stat pages such as ESPN show his 2025 numbers, including 27 carries for 147 yards and two rushing touchdowns and eight receptions for 102 yards.
What a misdemeanor battery charge means in Florida
Under Florida law, simple battery is typically charged as a first‑degree misdemeanor and can carry penalties including up to one year in county jail and fines. Separate statutes can increase penalties in more serious or enhanced circumstances. The state’s statutory framework for battery and related offenses is laid out in Florida Statutes, Chapter 784.
What comes next
TMZ described the incident as an arrest and booking for misdemeanor battery. Official custody and charge details are typically posted in local booking logs. For public records and recent bookings in the Keys, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office maintains an online arrests roster at KeysSO.net. This story will be updated as court records, law enforcement files or statements from Nebraska Athletics become available.
