Former Wildcats Coach Craig Carter Gets Five Years In Prison

TUCSON, AZ – As an assistant coach for the University of Arizona track and field team, Craig Carter was in a position where he was expected to look out for the students, nurture them so that the could compete at the highest levels. Last month, he admitted to having betrayed that trust.

Now, he will be spending the next five years in prison.

Carter pleaded guilty to stalking and aggravated harassment stemming. He had previously been convicted of aggravated assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

it also stems from his treatment of Baillie Gibson, who was a shot putter for the Wildcats, one with Olympic aspirations. (Get Tucson Patch's daily newsletter and real-time news alerts. Or, find your local Patch here and subscribe).

While Patch does not normally name sexual assault victims, Gibson has spoken out several times over the years about the attacks.

Carter is assaulted Gibson after she broke off the relationship and said that she was transferring. She says that she was forced into the relationship while he claimed that it was consensual.

Gibson had told University of Arizona police that he had assaulted her while they were in his office. choking her and threatening with a box cutter.

Later that week, he tried to drag her out a classroom but she broke free and reported the incident to University of Arizona police.

Court records indicate that he admitted telling her that "I'll cut your face."

Carter also still faces a civil suit from Gibson.

The Arizona Daily Star reports that because the incidents happened while the was a university employee, the university is obligated to pay for this defense. Since he has been convicted, they will be able to stop those payments and sue to recover taxpayer funds that have already been spent.

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Photo via Pima County Sheriff's Department.