University of Nebraska running back Maurice Washington is accused of keeping and sending an explicit video of his ex-girlfriend’s reported sexual assault, and is now facing charges in California, according to a report by NBC Bay Area.
Washington is a San Jose native and went to school at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale. According to the report, Washington did not record the video and was not a part of the alleged sexual assault. Washington is accused of keeping the video on his phone, and sending it to the victim last March, with the message “Remember this hoe.”
The video reportedly is of the teenager being sexually assaulted. Washington is facing criminal charges under the state’s “revenge porn” law. The video was reportedly taken in 2016 when the female was 15. Washington is also being charged with distribution of child pornography because of the victim’s age.
According to the report, the University of Nebraska was made aware of the situation last fall, but Washington was allowed to play the entire season.
Washington's attorney John C. Ball issued a statement to NBC Bay Area: “This is a situation involving an inappropriate cell phone video. The allegations are that Mr. Washington sent that video to his high school girlfriend. Mr. Washington did not make the video, nor does he appear in the video. The incident is alleged to have taken place in California, several years ago. Mr. Washington will continue to be fully cooperative with the authorities in this situation. We are in contact with those authorities, and are in the process of making arrangements to move forward and resolve this matter. Mr. Washington has confidence in our justice system, and knows that he can rely on the fundamental constitutional rights of due process and the presumption of innocence.”
Monday afternoon the University of Nebraska released this statement: “Last fall we were contacted by the Nebraska Attorney General’s office and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln police department and made aware that officials in California were interested in interviewing Maurice Washington about a prior incident. Details were not shared and there was no additional follow up with the Nebraska Athletic Department. Recently, we were made aware that charges may be filed against Maurice in California. We have not had a chance to review the charges, and will continue to monitor this ongoing legal process.”