In a shocking incident, United Football League (UFL) wide receiver Samson Nacua, the older brother of Los Angeles Rams star Puka Nacua, finds himself in legal trouble. He was arrested over the weekend alongside another man, accused of taking an SUV belonging to NBA rookie Adou Thiero of the Los Angeles Lakers without the player's consent.
Arrest in West Hollywood Following Vehicle Tracking
According to reports from NBC 4 Los Angeles, deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department were called to the One Hotel in West Hollywood. The vehicle, an SUV owned by Lakers' small forward and guard Adou Thiero, had been tracked to that location. The suspects had reportedly valet-parked the stolen vehicle at the hotel.
After reviewing security footage from the premises, law enforcement officials were able to identify the individuals involved. The deputies located and arrested the suspects shortly after their identification. The two men were taken into custody on suspicion of unlawfully taking the SUV.
The authorities have identified the suspects as 27-year-old Trey Rose and 27-year-old Samson Nacua. Both now face a formal charge of taking a vehicle without the owner's consent. As of the latest reports, both individuals remain behind bars. Law enforcement has not been able to confirm the exact time or location where the SUV was initially stolen. It is also unclear if either suspect has legal representation to speak on their behalf.
A History of Controversy: Nacua's Previous UFL Suspension
This is not the first time Samson Nacua has been involved in an off-field altercation. Back in April 2025, following a crushing 32-27 loss by his team, the Michigan Panthers, to the St. Louis Battlehawks, Nacua was caught on video in a physical confrontation with a fan.
The video showed Nacua jumping up to slap a fan who had been heckling him. The exact nature and intensity of the heckling that provoked this reaction remains unclear. The incident occurred immediately after the tough loss. The UFL took disciplinary action, suspending Nacua for one game following the altercation. As part of the consequences, Nacua also agreed to participate in community service and missed his team's next game against the D.C. Defenders.
Samson Nacua's Football Career: From College to the UFL
Samson Nacua's football journey includes playing college football for both the University of Utah and Brigham Young University (BYU). He transitioned to professional football, spending the 2023-2024 season in the USFL. During that season, he played 13 games, recording 21 receptions for 329 yards and scoring three touchdowns.
In the subsequent 2024 UFL season, he played for the Michigan Panthers, helping them reach the championship game. He amassed 11 receptions for 125 yards across seven games that season. His talent has also attracted attention from the NFL; he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 and later by the New Orleans Saints in 2024, participating in their training camps on both occasions. However, he has not recorded any regular-season statistics in the NFL. Currently, he serves as a professional wide receiver for the Michigan Panthers in the United Football League.
This recent arrest adds a significant blemish to the athlete's profile, casting a shadow over his professional career and drawing public attention due to his connection to his highly successful younger brother, Rams standout Puka Nacua.
