FAYETTEVILLE — Washington County prosecutors won't file charges in connection with a rape reported at a University of Arkansas fraternity Aug. 27, a prosecutor said Wednesday.
An 18-year-old UA student told investigators three Razorback basketball players forced her to perform oral sex at a party at the Phi Gamma Delta house, said Deputy Prosecutor Dustin Roberts. A fourth player was present but wasn't accused in the assault, he said.
UA police investigated for two weeks and didn't find probable cause to arrest the players, Roberts said. The agency turned over its investigation to the Washington County prosecutor's office Tuesday, he said.
"Based on evidence we have, it seems to be consensual," Roberts said.
University of Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long confirmed in a statement issued at noon Wednesday that student athletes had been questioned as part of the prosecutor's review into the case.
"The department and our student-athletes have cooperated fully with the investigation and will continue to do so. We will not speculate on any allegations. We will wait for the prosecutor's office to assess the case and determine how the matter should proceed. We will support our student-athletes in an appropriate manner in accordance with University and NCAA guidelines," Long said in the statement.
UA police received the rape report at 5:48 p.m. Aug. 28, according to the police department. A woman reported she was raped by an acquaintance about 1:45 a.m. a day earlier at the Garland House, home of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity chapter.
Springdale attorney John Bass said Wednesday morning as he left the prosecutor's office that he represented a rape victim and her family and confirmed a rape kit was done. He said he met Wednesday with prosecutors, who indicated to him that they had decided whether or not to file charges. Bass would not say what prosecutors told him they decided.