Cowboys’ Williams Arrested in Sexual Assault of Teen-Ager

Erik Williams, a star offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys, faces sexual assault charges after a 17-year-old girl accused him of attacking her early Thursday.

Dallas police Sgt. Jim Chandler said Williams, 26, was taken into custody after police responded to a telephone request for help by the girl from Williams’ north Dallas home.

“She said that she had known Williams for about four months and that he picked her up at her apartment and took her back to his house--she went willingly,” Chandler said. “She told them the story that she had been forced, with verbal threats, to engage in sexual intercourse with both men.”

Also arrested was Roderick Carson, 26, of Madison, Wis. Williams’ attorney, Donald Godwin, said Williams identified Carson as a longtime friend and a high school football coach.

Both were released after posting $2,500 bond.

Said Cowboy spokesman Rich Dalrymple: “We’re aware of the situation . . . . We won’t have any comment until we have further information.”

Williams was seriously injured Oct. 24 when his car slammed into a ramp on Interstate 635. He had reconstructive surgery on his right knee and missed the rest of the season.

He pleaded no-contest to misdemeanor drunken driving and received two years’ probation, which is endangered by the arrest.