Crime & Safety
U Of Neb. Football Player To Cooperate On Child Porn Accusations
The former Santa Clara Co. resident is suspected of holding a pornographic video of his ex girlfriend, prompting an arrest warrant.
SAN JOSE, CA -- A Santa Clara County judge signed an arrest warrant Thursday for a University of Nebraska football player suspected of possessing pornography of his ex-girlfriend, prosecutors and sheriff's offices confirmed.
Deputies began an investigation into 19-year-old Maurice Washington, who formerly lived in Santa Clara County, on March 12, 2018, after they were contacted by Washington's ex-girlfriend. She claimed Washington sent her a recorded cellphone video of her sexual assault, according to sheriff's officials. Washington was 17 and the girl was 15 at the time he allegedly sent her the video. Sheriff's officials said they have made multiple attempts to reach Washington, but have not received a response from him.
Judge Vanessa Zecher signed the warrant Thursday for charges of felony possession of child porn and a misdemeanor posting explicit material without consent. Washington's attorney, John Ball, said in a statement Thursday that Washington has "absolutely nothing to do" with the sexual assault depicted in the video that was allegedly shared.
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"This is about two young people who were once boyfriend and girlfriend in the 8th grade, and their communications years later," he said in the statement. "Without all the facts, any judgment of anything in this case is premature, and would be based only on speculation and conjecture."
He added that Washington will be fully cooperative with authorities in Santa Clara County, though they are still determining a timeframe for his court appearance.
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"We expected this, and were prepared for it," Ball said of the arrest warrant. "I have also specifically confirmed that we will continue to move forward with a self-surrender, meaning that Mr. Washington will not be arrested or extradited, and that he will voluntarily appear in court in
California."
The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office is in communication with law enforcement officials in Nebraska. Deputy Michael Low said because the warrant was only signed today, they are still determining next steps regarding Washington's possible arrest.
--Bay City News/Image via Shutterstock
