South Carolina recruit to enter diversion program for 3 charges

COLUMBIA, S.C. - A judge agreed Wednesday to let South Carolina recruit Stephen Garcia enter a counseling and community service program rather than face prosecution for three misdemeanor charges.<br> <br> Garcia, a highly-touted quarterback, was arrested Feb. 17 on charges of drunkenness and failure to stop for a police officer during an incident outside a club.<br> <br> Two weeks later, he turned himself in on charges of malicious injury to personal property. Arrest warrants said Garcia scratched the car of professor Adam Biggs with a key and caused more than $800 in damage.<br> <br> Biggs wanted Garcia, 19, to express remorse before the judge allowed him to enter the pre-trial intervention program. ``I apologize, `` Garcia told Biggs.<br> <br> The diversion program allows first-time offenders to wipe their records clean if they complete the counseling and community service.<br> <br> Garcia previously issued an apology to the professor, coach Steve Spurrier, his teammates and fans.<br> <br> Following the latest arrest, Garcia was suspended from spring practice and all team activities this semester.<br> <br> Garcia, from Jefferson High in Tampa, Fla., was the centerpiece of Spurrier&#39;s latest recruiting class, ranked among the top 10 in the country by many analysts.<br> <br> He arrived at the university in January after graduating high school early to get a jump on learning Spurrier&#39;s offense.

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