Solomon Beebe, an incoming transfer for the University of Virginia football team, faces three misdemeanor animal cruelty charges stemming from alleged incidents earlier this month, according to online court records. Beebe, a Montgomery, Alabama, native and former UAB running back, was arrested on charges filed Monday and appeared in Albemarle County District Court on Thursday.
Court records indicate the three Class 1 misdemeanor charges relate to one alleged incident on August 10 and two others on August 12. Albemarle County animal control seized Beebe’s dog on August 13, placing it in protective custody at the SPCA in Albemarle County, according to Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Pollock.
A housekeeper at Beebe’s apartment complex reported witnessing him punch his pit bull twice on August 12. According to animal control officer Justin Gibson, the housekeeper stated, "She observed Mr. Beebe hold his dog against the wall and punch his dog with a closed fist multiple times, and the dog was yelping in pain with each strike."
Beebe was taken into custody on Monday and released on an unsecured bond. The University of Virginia provided a statement to Fox News Digital, stating, "The University does not comment on matters involving ongoing criminal proceedings or student records."
After two seasons at UAB as a running back and return specialist, Beebe entered the transfer portal in December before committing to Virginia and arriving on campus in January. He finished the 2025 season at UAB with 338 rushing yards and six touchdowns, in addition to 284 receiving yards. He had been seen practicing with the Cavaliers as recently as Monday morning.
Virginia coach Tony Elliott had previously commented on Beebe's potential impact. "He showed immediately that he can play running back and be a really good one," Elliott told reporters. "So he's in the rotation there, which requires a lot to play for us. And then in the return game, he's already shown what he can do there."
Beebe’s attorney of record, Thomas Weidner, could not immediately be reached for comment. Virginia is scheduled to open its season on August 29 against NC State.