OT: Two Texas Players Charged With Sexual Assault
Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2014 10:35 am-Â Updates include comments from Kendall Sanders' attorney, actual details from police documents. A source familiar with the investigation told the American-Statesman both players are to be arrested today.
Earlier:Â University of Texas football players Kendall Sanders and Montrel Meander were charged with sexual assault, a second-degree felony, on Thursday for an incident in the early morning of June 21, the American-Statesman has learned.
Sanders is also facing an additional charge of improper photography.Â
It’s unclear when both Sanders and Meander will be arrested, but bail has been set at $75,000 for both players. Sanders has an additional $20,000 bail for the improper photography charge.Â
“It’s a shame that a mere allegation can effect a young man’s life to the extent this will,†said Austin attorney Brian Roark, who represents Sanders. “He is innocent though and eventually, that will be proven.â€
Montrel Meander’s attorney, Dallas-based Rickey Jones, has not returned phone calls from the Statesman. Â
According to court documents obtained by the American-Statesman, UT police officers found the victim under a desk crying. She was barefoot and had disheveled hair.Â
The alleged victim told police she came back from Sixth Street and agreed to engage consensual sex with Menader, according to court documents. Then, Sanders knocked on the door and was allowed in by Meander.
Sanders began taking off his clothes while Meander went into the bathroom, and the alleged victim said she did not want to have sex with him, the court documents state. Sanders got in bed anyway and forced himself on the alleged victim.
“Sanders told the victim she would like it and that it is going to feel good,†the affidavit states. The documents go into graphic detail how Sanders had sex with the alleged victim, which included vaginal and anal intercouse.Â
At some point, Meander came back into the room and the two players “forcibly penetrated the victim†together. At that point, the alleged victim said she no longer wanted to have sex with Meander.Â
Then, according to the documents, the alleged victim saw a camera flash and suspected she was begin recorded. The alleged victim dressed and left the room crying.Â
UT police records show that a sexual assault was reported at 3:43 a.m. that night. UT police arrived at the dorm and began interviewing potential witnesses, including Sanders and Meander.
Texas athletic officials were aware of a possible incident, and it was initially reported by the American Statesman on June 22. At that time, the Statesman did not name the players as they were simply being questioned by UT police.Â
“All three individuals involved knew each other, and the two suspects have been cooperating with the investigation,†UT police said initially in its daily report distributed campus wide.
Athletic officials have a policy of not making any comments on legal proceedings until athletes are arrested or formally charged.Â
Texas coach Charlie Strong told the American-Statesman that both players would be suspended if charges were filed.
Sanders, a junior from Athens, has played in 23 career games and started seven last year. He made 37 receptions for 361 yards and one touchdown. Meander is a redshirt freshman from Amarillo who did not play last season.
Earlier:Â University of Texas football players Kendall Sanders and Montrel Meander were charged with sexual assault, a second-degree felony, on Thursday for an incident in the early morning of June 21, the American-Statesman has learned.
Sanders is also facing an additional charge of improper photography.Â
It’s unclear when both Sanders and Meander will be arrested, but bail has been set at $75,000 for both players. Sanders has an additional $20,000 bail for the improper photography charge.Â
“It’s a shame that a mere allegation can effect a young man’s life to the extent this will,†said Austin attorney Brian Roark, who represents Sanders. “He is innocent though and eventually, that will be proven.â€
Montrel Meander’s attorney, Dallas-based Rickey Jones, has not returned phone calls from the Statesman. Â
According to court documents obtained by the American-Statesman, UT police officers found the victim under a desk crying. She was barefoot and had disheveled hair.Â
The alleged victim told police she came back from Sixth Street and agreed to engage consensual sex with Menader, according to court documents. Then, Sanders knocked on the door and was allowed in by Meander.
Sanders began taking off his clothes while Meander went into the bathroom, and the alleged victim said she did not want to have sex with him, the court documents state. Sanders got in bed anyway and forced himself on the alleged victim.
“Sanders told the victim she would like it and that it is going to feel good,†the affidavit states. The documents go into graphic detail how Sanders had sex with the alleged victim, which included vaginal and anal intercouse.Â
At some point, Meander came back into the room and the two players “forcibly penetrated the victim†together. At that point, the alleged victim said she no longer wanted to have sex with Meander.Â
Then, according to the documents, the alleged victim saw a camera flash and suspected she was begin recorded. The alleged victim dressed and left the room crying.Â
UT police records show that a sexual assault was reported at 3:43 a.m. that night. UT police arrived at the dorm and began interviewing potential witnesses, including Sanders and Meander.
Texas athletic officials were aware of a possible incident, and it was initially reported by the American Statesman on June 22. At that time, the Statesman did not name the players as they were simply being questioned by UT police.Â
“All three individuals involved knew each other, and the two suspects have been cooperating with the investigation,†UT police said initially in its daily report distributed campus wide.
Athletic officials have a policy of not making any comments on legal proceedings until athletes are arrested or formally charged.Â
Texas coach Charlie Strong told the American-Statesman that both players would be suspended if charges were filed.
Sanders, a junior from Athens, has played in 23 career games and started seven last year. He made 37 receptions for 361 yards and one touchdown. Meander is a redshirt freshman from Amarillo who did not play last season.