CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Three University of North Carolina (UNC) football players were attacked Dec. 16 in their off-campus apartment by three individuals. Police believe the attack was motivated by robbery, where at least two of the victims were sexually assaulted.
Two women and one man were charged with three counts of kidnapping, three counts of conspiracy to commit a felony and one count of resisting arrest, police said. One of the accused threatened the victims with a knife. When police arrived at the scene, all three players were bound with tape. Two victims were dressed only in boxers and the other victim was fully clothed.
The two women Monique Jenice Taylor, 28 and Tnika Monta Washington, 29, have also been charged with one count of first-degree sexual offense. Their accomplice, 32-year-old Michael Troy Lewis has been charged with robbery, possession of stolen goods and assault on government officials.
Newspaper reports said the three players met the accused at a downtown bar. They all proceeded to the victims’ apartment. Reportedly, two of the players were involved in consensual sexual activity with the women, but soon became uncomfortable and asked the women to stop. The other player was taken to his room because he was intoxicated.
Authorities said at least two of the victims were sexually assaulted and are currently awaiting a final police report to determine whether the third victim was as well.
Washington and Taylor were arrested at the scene. Lewis surrendered Dec. 19 after fleeing the scene after being confronted by police. Originally, all three defendants were jailed for a $500,000 secured bond. However, the bonds for Washington and Taylor were reduced to $50,000.
The players were not injured during this incident. Citing federal privacy laws, neither UNC nor authorities released the players’ names.
