A former University of Kentucky football player and Evans native has been arrested in connection to a disturbing act of public indecency at a Dollar Tree in Columbia County.
Troy Anthony Booker, 19, was taken into custody Thursday after allegedly exposing himself to a woman shopping inside the store on Washington Road in Evans. Deputies say Booker, while the woman was kneeling to browse items on a lower shelf, deliberately approached and positioned himself with his genitals exposed just inches from her face. The woman, a stranger to Booker, quickly left the area and reported the incident to store management and later the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
Surveillance footage reviewed by deputies confirmed the account, showing Booker loitering near the front of the store before targeting the woman and exposing himself as she shopped. He later purchased a grape Fanta with a contactless card and left the store. Deputies used the transaction information and images from the store to identify him.
Booker was listed as a freshman defensive back at the University of Kentucky and graduated from Augusta Christian in 2023, where he was a breakout two-sport athlete. According to his UK Athletics bio, he joined the team in 2024 and practiced as a freshman. ESPN currently lists him as an active defensive back for the Wildcats. However, as of Friday, Booker no longer appears on the official UK football team roster.
On Sunday morning, UK Athletics Communications Director Susan Lax said that Booker was dismissed by the team in January.
A highly regarded athlete and student, Booker was a four-year starter on Augusta Christian’s basketball team and a National Honor Society member. Booker played just one year of football at Augusta Christian, making a late but impactful debut as a senior in 2023.
He committed to Kentucky over Georgia Southern and Charleston Southern and is majoring in pre-mechanical and electrical engineering. He had spoken in team bios about plans to grow his family’s real estate business and described himself as “respectful, hard-working, and funny.”
He is now charged with public indecency, a misdemeanor. The victim has confirmed she wishes to prosecute.
