Chapman Football Player Arraigned on Drug Charges

A Chapman University football player was arraigned in Orange County Municipal Court on Friday on felony drug charges, including possession of steroids and possession of marijuana for sale.

Brady Willmon of Westlake Village pleaded not guilty to the charges and was ordered by Judge Steven L. Perk to return to court Oct. 27 for a preliminary hearing. The 21-year-old defensive lineman is being held on $10,000 bail.

Orange police officers arrested Willmon on Wednesday after campus security officers found three bottles of a type of steroid in addition to several grams of marijuana in Willmon’s dorm room, according to court records.

Jim Moore, the university’s sports information director, confirmed that Willmon had been suspended from the team this week after the school was notified of the arrest.

“At the university or in the athletic department when we are made aware of a situation like this, we investigate and take appropriate action, and we have in this situation as well,” Moore said.

Head football coach Ken Visser could not be reached for comment but issued a statement Friday: “I have strong personal feelings against any illegal substance. I repeatedly talk to our players before the season and during the season about involvement in any kind of illegal substance activity.”

The coach also said that “there have been no physical signs of steroids use on our team that I have seen.”

The football team is due to play tonight against St. Mary’s College and has a record of one win and four losses so far this season.