USF football player arrested on sex charges

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Police have arrested a 22-year-old University of South Florida football player on charges of sexual assault and battery and false imprisonment hours after he allegedly assaulted a female student in her dorm room.

USF police announced Tuesday that they arrested LaDarrius Jackson at late Monday night. According to the police statement, Jackson allegedly assaulted an 18-year-old acquaintance at 2:30 p.m. Monday.

According to investigators, the victim told police that Jackson pushed her into her room and "she attempted to prevent him by placing her hands on the walls" before she was assaulted. The woman said she didn't leave the room "for fear that the subject was going to grab her and prevent her from doing so."

Jackson was about to catch a plane home because the spring semester had ended when authorities called him Monday.

"We told him, 'don't get on the plane.' He did not. He was cooperative," said USF Police Capt. Mike Klingbiel, adding the case impacted the university during a time when students are finishing up exams. "It's a very difficult case in general for the environment. This is not something that occurs and is acceptable in society. But it is traumatizing to the entire community when it does occur on a university campus."

Jackson's arrest had students buzzing on campus.

"I just think it's horrible news, but I know that the campus is really safe and they do everything to make sure that our safety is ensured," said Jolynn Rismay.

"It could happen to anyone," added Haley Robbins. "I'm a girl. I'm 18-years-old. It's a very scary thing, especially being on such a big campus you don't know what's going to happen."

Team officials released a statement saying Jackson has been removed from all team activities.

"While we find the allegations troubling, we will continue to gather information and support the judicial process before providing further comment," Bulls coach Charlie Strong said in a statement.

Jackson was being held without bail at the Hillsborough County Jail.

A bio on the USF football website says Jackson is from Birmingham, Alabama. He's a 6-foot-4, 243-pound junior defensive end who played in seven games last season with three tackles. He joined USF after transferring from Hinds Community College in Jackson, Mississippi.

This is the second arrest of a USF football player since March. Hassan Childs was kicked-off the team after he was shot during a suspected road rage incident and later arrested.