University of Arizona football player charged with sex assault

A University of Arizona football player was indicted on sexual assault charges after an incident which occured last April 2. Johnathan Turner, 23, was indicted May 16, according to a Pima County sheriff's department spokeswoman. The victim was a fellow UA student.

The indictment stems from an incident April 2 when the victim told authorities she and some of her friends were drinking at a residence near North Camino de Oeste and West Sweetwater Drive, Hanke said. The victim said she passed out on a couch and woke up around 2:30 a.m. to find Turner sexually assaulting her, according to a search-warrant affidavit filed in Pima County Superior Court shortly after the incident.

The victim said she pushed Turner off her, went into a bedroom and told her friend what had just happened, the affidavit said.

"Mr. Turner followed her into the bedroom and stated nothing had happened," the search-warrant affidavit said. "He described (the victim) as 'tripping out.' He continued to state he was just 'cuddling' with (the victim)."

The victim was taken to St. Mary's Hospital by her friends, and sheriff's adult-sex-crimes detectives investigated. DNA evidence was obtained, along with two quilts and seat cushions from the couch, the search warrant shows.

Turner, from Corona, Calif., was not booked into jail, Hanke said. He is a junior defensive end for the UA football team and a sociology major. The charge, a Class 2 felony, carries 5 to 14 years in prison.

Coach Mike Stoops suspended Turner from the team on April 5, supposedly for unspecified reasons, but had been monitoring the investigation, which fingered Turner as a person of interest early.

"I'm obviously aware of the situation, and I will let the judicial system take its course," Stoops said. "We'll have some kind of statement when it moves further."

Stoops will meet with Athletic Director Jim Livengood this week to talk about Turner's status. For now, Turner will remain on scholarship but will not be able to practice or work out with the team, Stoops said.

"I really haven't talked to Jim about that or the university," Stoops said. "I'm sure we'll discuss that and what's best for all parties, and make some kind of decision this week."

According to the university's student athlete code of conduct, Turner could lose his scholarship [No duh! He'll be losing a lot more than that - like freedom, on not having the stigma of being a sex offender.]

Turner, a 6-foot-3-inch, 263-pounder, was expected to start this fall at defensive end. He has 25 career starts, third-highest on the team.