Alex Figueroa, a football player at the University of Miami, has been arrested alongside team mate, Jawand Blue, reports CBS Miami. The pair are accused of the sexual battery of 17-year-old girl on campus at the university. According to the Miami Herald, the attack happened over the July 4 holiday weekend. Figueroa turned 20 on July 1.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. He’s Accused of Drugging a 17-Year-Old Girl
CBS Miami, quoting arrest docs, state that Figueroa and Blue gave the girl “a narcotic, anesthetic, or other intoxicating substance that mentally or physically incapacitated her.” The drug was administered without her knowledge. WSVN reports that the all parties involved in this case are University of Miami students. On July 8, the two players went to Coral Gables Police Station and told cops that they bought booze for the victim. The alleged attack is said to have happened inside Figueroa’s Pearson Hall dorm room in the school.
Figueroa’s Pearson Hall dormitory where the attack is said to have taken place. (Google Street View)
The intricate details of the crime can be read here, warning, it’s pretty graphic:
The full criminal affidavit can be read here:
2. He’s Been Kicked Off the Team
(Getty)
The two players have been kicked off of the Miami Hurricanes football team and suspended from the school, according to UM Director of Athletic Blake James. In a statement, James said:
Earlier today, I permanently dismissed Jawand Blue and Alexander Figueroa from the UM football team. The University has also suspended the students from school and barred them from all campus facilities while the University conducts an internal investigation and continues to cooperate with local law enforcement.
Any allegation of a sexual assault is extremely serious, and the University will not tolerate conduct that threatens the sanctity and safety of our students and our campus. We hold all of our students – especially student athletes – to the highest standards of moral conduct.
The University of Miami President Donna Shalala also released a statement:
The safety and welfare of our students is fundamental to our mission as a university. We have zero tolerance for sexual assault and gender-based violence. There is no confusion about our responsibility as a university: We will fully and compassionately support the victim of sexual assault. I have spoken to her myself and reassured her of our full support.
We have suspended the men involved, and they have been barred from campus. Our athletic director has taken firm action ending their involvement in the football program. We have notified the individuals involved that the university is beginning an investigation immediately, which we expect to conclude quickly and fairly. We will also continue to cooperate with the police in their ongoing criminal investigation.
Alex Figueroa on the powerclean as Raphael Kirby and Denzel Perryman look on #RISEandGRIND pic.twitter.com/izczbIcWaQ
— Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) June 25, 2014
In addition to his charge of sexual battery, Figueroa was accused of possessing a fake driver’s license, reports The Miami Herald. Both Figueroa and Blue were booked at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. According to NBC South Florida, Figueroa’s bail has been set at $15,000.
3. His Mom & Dad Are Both Marines
He went to high school in Virginia, and Figueroa’s mother and father were both Marines. On his Facebook page, Figueroa says that he lived at one point in San Diego.
An SB Nation profile on Figueroa, described how is lack of effort in the class room had caused problems for his football participation during his senior year of high school at Brooke Point where he was part of the class of 2012. Despite this, the Washington Post still named him 1st team All Metro during his final year of high school. Standing at 6’3″ and weighing 231 pounds, Figueroa was a force to be reckoned with in high school, as a senior he recored 107 tackles, 74 solo, 11 for loss, and nine, as SB Nations puts it, “involve putting the quarter back on his back.”
4. He’s Just Come Back From a Serious Injury
The Palm Beach Post reported in March that Figueroa was back in training following troublesome shoulder issues. The paper noted that his coaches would have been relieved to see Figueroa back participating in full-contact drills. Towards the close of the 2013 season, Figueroa was playing with a partially torn AC joint in his shoulder.
5. His Profile Has Been Deleted From the Miami Hurricanes Website
After being dumped from the school’s football team, his profile was deleted from the Hurricanes website. On the cached version of the profile, it reads that Figueroa enrolled in the University of Miami in January 2013. During the 2013 season, he played in nine games and started twice as linebacker. His season high of five tackles (all solo) came in his debut against FAU.
