Williams linked to two alleged assaults

Arkansas head coach Mike Anderson talks with Arkansas forward Jacorey Williams (22) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgia Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, in Athens, Ga. Arkansas won 79-75. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

— A week after being arrested on suspicion of forgery, Jacorey Williams is being investigated in connection to two alleged assaults.

Williams, one of three suspended Arkansas basketball players who allegedly used counterfeit bills, is accused of pushing his girlfriend to the ground July 5 and punching a bouncer July 18, according to a police report.

In the first incident, Williams allegedly knocked Essence Singleton, his now ex-girlfriend, to the ground when she approached him at the Lit Lounge on Dickson Street about money he owed her, according to the police report.

Bryan Jones, a bouncer at the bar, witnessed the event and stepped in between the couple. He then helped Singleton contact the police. According to the police report, she had scrapes on her hands and knees and one fingernail was slightly torn.

In the second incident, which is possibly connected to the first one, Jones was punched in the face and knocked unconscious while checking IDs at the entrance of Lit Lounge.

He and two witnesses said the man who punched Jones was a black male that played basketball at Arkansas, according to the police report. The man was later identified as Williams.

According to the police report, the punch temporarily blinded Jones’ right eye, causing him to go to the hospital. He regained his vision the next day and suffered no permanent damage.

When police followed up with him, Jones claimed that Williams punched him in retaliation for helping Singleton contact police after the first incident.

Jones said he wanted to move forward with speaking to the prosecutor, according to the police report.

Williams, along with Anton Beard and Dustin Thomas, was suspended from the basketball team July 22 after the trio was arrested on suspicion of forgery.

The players were released from jail July 23 after each posted a $2,500 bond. Their arraignment is Aug. 24.

Williams, a rising senior, averaged 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds for the Razorbacks last season.