By Matt Watson
The three University of Arkansas basketball players questioned by Washington County prosecutors in a sexual assault case will not be charged, Washington County Prosecutor John Threet said Wednesday.
A rape at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house on the school’s Fayetteville campus was reported to university police on Aug. 27. UAPD turned over its investigation to the county prosecuting office, and Wednesday afternoon Threet said there was not enough evidence to file charges. The names of the players in question have not been released.
UA Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long released a statement shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday about the allegations and whether or not the athletic department would take any disciplinary action.
“We have been advised that the appropriate authorities have reviewed the information and concluded the facts of the investigation did not warrant charges being filed against any students. As stated previously, the athletic department and our student-athletes cooperated with the investigation. These were very serious allegations and we treated them as such,” Long said. “Now that the criminal legal process has been completed, we will review the available information to determine if any athletic department rules or policies have been violated. Following that review, we will take appropriate action.”
The Northwest Arkansas ABC affiliate 40/29 first reported on television Wednesday morning that the deputy prosecutor confirmed three members of the Razorback basketball team are involved in the rape case, and that no names had been released nor any charges yet filed.
It is the first of two rapes reported on the Arkansas campus in two weeks, the second coming at Humphreys Hall last Friday. A University Housing staff member was arrested in the case, The Traveler reported Wednesday. The Phi Gamma Delta house, also known as the Fiji house, is down the street from Humphreys Hall and walking distance from Bud Walton Arena where Arkansas plays its home basketball games.