Athens — Athens police issued a warrant for the arrest of Georgia football player Michael Lemon on Wednesday, The Associated Press reported.

The victim's family corroborated the report to the AJC on Wednesday night.

Jacqueline Jackson, whose son, DeMarius Jackson, suffered a blowout fracture of his left eye socket when Lemon allegedly punched him Saturday night, said Athens police informed them late Wednesday afternoon that Lemon would be arrested for aggravated battery, which is a felony. She said Lemon was informed that a warrant was issued for his arrest and sheriff's deputies will be dispatched to pick him up if he doesn't turn himself in.

The warrant comes as a relief to the Jacksons, who say they had been frustrated by the lack of action by local authorities.

"I feel a whole lot better now," Jacqueline Jackson said. "I felt they were really putting us off at first. I think me calling the D.A. and police finally paid off. It bothers me that it took this much."

Jacqueline Jackson and her husband traveled to Athens from Albany on Sunday and have been staying with their son ever since.

DeMarius Jackson, a rising junior at UGA, claims that Lemon, a 6-foot-4, 274-pound defensive lineman attacked him and punched him at least five times Saturday night at a barbecue at an apartment complex. Jackson said he was transported to St. Mary's Hospital via ambulance after the incident and released about eight hours later.

Earlier Wednesday, Jackson told the AJC that his left eye remains swollen, the side of his face is numb and that he occasionally spits up blood. "It still hurts pretty bad," he said.

Lemon could not be reached for comment.

Because it is a felony charge, Lemon is expected to be suspended indefinitely from the football team until his case is resolved. The redshirt sophomore from Lizella, near Macon, was listed as a third-team defensive end at the conclusion of spring drills.

If Lemon is arrested Thursday as expected, he will become the seventh football player to be charged with a crime this year.