Two UT WRs charged in sexual assault case
University of Texas football players Kendall Sanders and Montrel Meander were charged with sexual assault, a second-degree felony, on Thursday, according to UTPD spokesperson Cindy Posey.
In addition, Sanders is facing an additional charge of improper photography.
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According to Posey, Sanders and Meander will be arrested, but bail has been set at $75,000 for both players, while Sanders has an additional $20,000 bail for an improper photography charge.
According to the affidavit obtained by Orangebloods.com, campus police officers were dispatched to San Jacinto Hall Dormitory on June 21 at 3:43 a.m. to a report of sexual assault. Officers said they found the victim tucked underneath an SJH entry service desk crying.
The victim, which is unnamed, said she had known Meander for over a year, and ran into him on 6th Street in Austin on June 20. She agreed to ride back to San Jacinto Hall with Meander. She reportedly took a shower and agreed to have consensual sex with Meander.
After several minutes of sex, Sanders allegedly knocked at the door. The victim, who was naked at the time, told police officers Sanders was her friend for over a year.
When Sanders entered the room, Meander allegedly walked into the bathroom. Sanders allegedly took off his clothes and got into the bed with the victim, who said she did not want to have sex with him.
According to the affidavit, "Sanders lifted the victim's legs up in the air while forcibly penetrating the victim's vagina with his penis. Sanders was then able to separate the victim's legs and place one of the victim's legs around his waist. From this position, Sanders continued to penetrate the victim's vagina with his penis."
In addition, Sanders alleged penetrated the victim anally.
According to the affidavit, "During this time Meander came back into the room. Both he and Sanders forcibly penetrated the victim by putting their penises into her vagina and mouth. The victim asked Meander why he was doing this and he did not reply, he just stared at her."
The victim said she closed her eyes and alleges that both Sanders and Meander continued to assault her. She saw a flash after it occurred and assumed it was a cell phone used to take a video or picture of her. Detectives later located at least one picture on Sanders' phone.
Sanders, a junior wide receiver, played in 12 games in 2013, including seven starts. He was expected to be starter in 2014 after finishing third on the team last year in both receptions (37) and receiving yards (361). A former prep all-American out of Athens (TX), Sanders was a four-star recruit and a member of the Rivals100 in 2012.
The latest allegations are not Sanders' first misstep since entering the Texas program. He was suspended for the first game of the 2013 season after being arrested for DWI in April of last year.
Meander, a redshirt freshman wide receiver, is a player that has earned praise for his efforts in practices and was expected to provide depth and big-play ability to Texas' receiving corps. A late addition to UT's 2013 recruiting class, Meander committed to the Longhorns out of Amarillo (TX) Palo Duro in the days prior to National Signing Day.