When College Athletes Face False Accusations of Sex Battery
Campus police arrested University of Central Florida linebacker Demetrius Meyes on Tuesday after accusations of sexual battery. The 18-year-old football player is accused of taking advantage of the victim at an off-campus party where the two met.
The victim of the assault claims that she woke up to Meyes penetrating her, and when she stood up to leave he blocked the door. Meyes admits to initial penetration but says that once the victim vocalized her doubts, he stopped and let her go.
UCF Head Coach Josh Heupel said he is “upset and disappointed” at the accusations and stated that Meyes is suspended from all UCF football activities indefinitely. The UCF Police Department announced in a statement on Wednesday that they are “committed to a thorough, professional investigation of all criminal cases that are reported to us, and we’re dedicated to a culture of care that starts by believing the brave survivors that seek our assistance.”
As with many sexual assault accusations, the facts surrounding the incident are unclear. Sexual battery is a serious charge that can result in a lifetime of legal trouble and civil consequences. College athletes accused of these crimes can lose scholarships, face expulsion, and endure harassment from their peers.
Though it’s important to honor the word of the victim, false accusations of rape and sexual assault on college campuses are undoubtedly common. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but the harm to a person’s reputation after an arrest is enough to ruin their lives.
If you have been falsely accused of a sexual battery, you need the help of a criminal defense attorney. The Umansky Law Firm can help prevent you from being taken advantage of and build a solid defense to bring to court.
Sexual Battery Charges in Florida
Florida § 794.011 defines a sexual battery as when a person physically forces themselves on another person. Sexual battery encompasses other crimes such as rape, sexual assault, groping, and more.
Sexual battery is a felony, with punishments varying depending on the circumstances of the incident. A breakdown of the classifications and penalties of sexual battery is as follows:
- Committed on a victim under the age of 12 by an adult
- Classification: Capital felony
- Penalty: Death penalty or life in prison without parole
- Committed on a victim under the age of 12 by a minor (under 18)
- Classification: Life felony
- Penalty: 30 years to life in prison
- Committed on a victim over the age of 12
- Classification: Second-degree felony
- Penalty: Up to 15 years in prison
- Committed on a victim over the age of 12 using coercion or threats
- Classification: First-degree felony
- Penalty: Up to 30 years in prison
- Committed on a victim over the age of 12 using a deadly weapon or physical force
- Classification: Life felony
- Penalty: 30 years to life in prison
False accusations can lead to false convictions and will easily ruin someone’s future. If you have been falsely accused of sexual battery or any other type of sex crime, call us today. The Umansky Law Firm has helped dozens of people facing false accusations across Florida.
Our team has over 100 years of combined experience, so you can be sure you are receiving the best representation available. Contact our office today to learn more about us.