5 Athletes May Face Counts of Raping Girl, 14

Sheriff’s investigators said they plan to seek criminal charges today against five members of the Antelope Valley College football team for the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl at a party.

Authorities said the incident occurred Oct. 4 at a Lancaster apartment during a party hosted by members of the college’s Marauders football team. Two players were arrested Friday and remained in custody Monday night in lieu of $30,000 bail. Three others were free pending an evaluation of the case by prosecutors.

“It’s going to rest with the district attorney’s office now,” said Deputy Susan Lewis of the Sheriff’s Department’s Juvenile Investigations Bureau. Lewis said deputies today will ask prosecutors to file felony “rape in concert” charges against all five players.

Arrested Friday in Lancaster were David Antonio Brown, 20, a starting wide receiver for the team, and Bradley Cole Jr., 20, a reserve wide receiver, deputies said.

Both students--Florida natives who live in Lancaster--are sophomores.

Brown was arrested at the community college’s Lancaster campus while Cole was arrested after being summoned to the sheriff’s station in Lancaster, college officials said.

Sheriff’s officials identified a third suspect as Gene Washington, 22, a reserve running back who also is a sophomore. Authorities would not name the other two suspects.

Sheriff’s officials said the Lancaster girl was intoxicated after an evening of drinking. At the party, she was led to a bedroom and raped by at least three players, according to her statement to deputies. At least one witness implicated the two other players, officials said.

Steve Standerfer, a spokesman for the two-year college, said: “Obviously we regret anything like this when it happens. There are allegations a crime was committed. That’s never good news for anyone.”

Times staff writer John Ortega contributed to this story.