VCU basketball player, student both charged with simple assault
Jalen DeLoach, a rookie forward for VCU basketball, was taken into custody and charged with simple assault earlier this month. According to Corey Byers, a spokesman for the VCU Police Department, Taylor Cook, the student who reported the attack, was served with a simple assault warrant in connection with the case the following day.
According to Byers, VCU police were notified of the incident on February 20 at approximately 12:57 a.m. According to Byers, Cook, 18, alleged that at around midnight on February 19, she was attacked in the student off-campus apartment complex located at 8 ½ West Canal Street. American Campus Communities is the owner of the apartment building.
Arnold Henderson, DeLoach’s lawyer, stated that DeLoach denies engaging in any actions that broke the law or “impinged upon the rights of any person.”
“In actuality, Ms. Taylor Cook was detained and accused of assaulting Jalen [DeLoach] following the release of the complete account of events. Henderson stated, “Jalen [DeLoach] looks forward to giving the truthful account of what happened in the proper forums.
“In relation to this crime, Cook was handed an outstanding warrant for simple assault. According to Byers, the probe is still ongoing.
The Virginia Judiciary Online Court System states that Cook’s arraignment hearing is scheduled for March 14 at 9:00 a.m.
Simple assault, according to FindLaw, is when someone tries to harm someone or puts them in fear of immediate harm through threats. According to Virginia Code, there is a potential $2,500 fine and a zero to twelve month jail sentence for simple assault.
The Virginia Judiciary Online Court System states that DeLoach’s arraignment hearing is scheduled for March 23 at 9 a.m. at Richmond-John Marshall Criminal-Traffic General District Court.
Despite the arrest and charges, DeLoach participated in the Atlantic 10 basketball conference tournament quarterfinals on Friday at the Capital One Arena.
VCU athletics spokesperson Christopher Kowalczyk did not elaborate on DeLoach’s charges and participation in the A-10 tournament.
“University Relations, via VCUPD, and Jalen’s representation each provided statements to several media outlets on this matter on Feb. 24. VCU Athletics will not have any additional comments at this time,” Kowalczyk stated in an email.
