Former Ute/Cougar Samson Nacua Won’t Be Charged In Lakers Car Theft Case
Jan 16, 2026, 12:10 PM
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - AUGUST 25: Samson Nacua #89 of the New Orleans Saints in action against the Tennessee Titans at Mercedes Benz Superdome on August 25, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — Former BYU and Utah football player Samson Nacua won’t be charged after getting arrested for allegedly stealing the car of Lakers rookie Adou Thiero last month.
According to Nacua’s attorneys, the situation was a misunderstanding, and the case is now closed.
Samson Nacua won’t be charged with stealing Lakers forward Adou Thiero’s SUV; Nacua thought the car belonged to his brother, Puka. https://t.co/x6elwcstY9
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 15, 2026
“This matter arose from a misunderstanding involving a vehicle and was promptly dismissed after review by the LASD’s Office,” said Samson Nacua’s attorneys Jason Lampert and Michael Goldstein. “The case is now closed.”
According to the LASD, Puka Nacua owns a car that is the same make, model, and color as Thiero’s, and Samson Nacua thought he was using his brother’s vehicle.
With the situation cleared up, Thiero chose not to press charges.
Now, Nacua can look forward to the 2026 UFL season in his first year with the Birmingham Stallions.
In 18 games played with the Michigan Panthers over the last two seasons, Nacua totaled 20 catches for 246 yards and two touchdowns.
About Samson Nacua
The Provo, Utah native played the first four seasons of his college career at the University of Utah. After playing for the Utes from 2017-20, Nacua transferred to BYU for his final collegiate season.
During his lone season with the Cougars, Nacua had 21 catches for 329 yards and three touchdowns. He also had seven carries for 29 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Nacua finished his college career with 103 receptions for 1,344 yards and 15 total touchdowns.
#BYU WR Samson Nacua presented the Cougars #LLTJ flag to the @Utah_Football team. 💙 ♥️ #UTAHvsBYU #GoCougs #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/WSkyj8dD4H
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 12, 2021
After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, Nacua signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent. However, he didnt make it to the regular season as he was released during final roster cuts.
He went on to play with the USFL’s Pittsburgh Maulers and UFL’s Michigan Panthers before returning to the NFL with the New Orleans Saints in August 2024.
