Miami is acting quickly in response to two players being charged for sexual battery. Linebackers JaWand Blue and Alexander Figueroa were arrested on sexual battery charges on Tuesday. The two were quickly reported to be dismissed from the football team by head coach Al Golden.
The Associated Press reported the two linebackers each face charges for sexual battery on a physically helpless victim. On top of that, Figueroa was charged with possession of a stolen or forged driver’s license. Details about the incident are still being confirmed at this time, so there could be much more to this story soon enough.
Bruce Feldman of FOXSports.com reported via Twitter the two players were dismissed from the program on Tuesday. To be dismissed so quickly by a program may speak volumes about the legitimacy of the charges and the situation. Typically an indefinite suspension is the first move b a program, but Golden and the Hurricanes struck quickly with a full dismissal.
Both players played mostly a back-up role for the Hurricanes last season, although Figueroa started two games at outside linebacker earlier in the season.
UPDATE (1:54 p.m.): Miami athletics director Blake James has issued a statement about the dismissal of the two players. It reads as follows;“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 is committed to maintaining a safe campus environment for all.”
According to the Miami Herald, the alleged victim reported the crime to University of Miami police. Coral Gables police then handled the investigation and made the arrests. Figueroa and Blue admitted to police to buying the victim drinks, escorting the victim back to Figueroa’s dorm and then performing sexual acts without consent.University of Miami president Donna Shalala issued a statement as well, confirming she has spoken to the victim and assured the victim this will be handled appropriately. Her statement reads as follows;
“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,” Shalala said in her statement. “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.”Follow @KevinOnCFB