College Football Player Accused Of 'Revenge Porn' Goes To Court

SAN JOSE, CA -- A 19-year-old University of Nebraska football player suspected of having pornography of his ex-girlfriend made his first court appearance in Santa Clara County court Wednesday.

Maurice Washington is being charged with felony possession of child porn and a misdemeanor of posting a photograph or recording without consent, which falls under the state's "revenge porn" laws. Deputies began investigating Washington in March 2018 when they were contacted by his ex-girlfriend, who dated him when he previously lived in the county. She claimed he had sent her a recorded cellphone video of her sexual assault. Washington was 17 and the girl was 15 when he reportedly sent the video.

Judge Vanessa Zecher signed an arrest warrant in February for charges of felony possession of child porn and a misdemeanor posting explicit material without consent. Washington's attorney, John Ball, published a statement at the time saying Washington had "absolutely nothing to do" with the sexual assault depicted in the video that was allegedly shared.

"This is about two young people who were once boyfriend and girlfriend in the 8th grade, and their communications years later," he said. "Without all the facts, any judgment of anything in this case is premature, and would be based only on speculation and conjecture."

He also said Washington would self-surrender, meaning he would not be arrested or extradited, and that he would voluntarily appear in court. County court records do not currently list an attorney for Washington. His next court date is scheduled for May 13 in Department 36.

--Bay City News