USC’s Wright Arrested on Suspicion of Sexual Assault

Eric Wright, a starting cornerback for USC, is free on bail after being arrested on suspicion of felony sexual assault, a Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman said Sunday.

Wright, 19, was arrested by LAPD officers Saturday in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred in an apartment complex near campus.

LAPD spokeswoman Sara Faden said officers responded to the 3100 block of McClintock Avenue to conduct a sexual assault investigation at about 4 a.m. Saturday.

Wright was booked at the LAPD’s Southwest station. According to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department website, bail was set at $100,000. Faden said Wright had posted bail and was released.

Faden said she had no further details about the incident or the alleged victim. She said Robbery-Homicide detectives were investigating the case. Messages left Sunday for Robbery-Homicide detectives were not returned. Messages left for USC Department of Public Safety officials also were not returned.

Tim Tessalone, an athletic department spokesman, said, “We’re aware of the situation and everyone is cooperating fully.”

Wright, a redshirt sophomore from San Francisco, started the final four games last season and intercepted a pass in the Trojans’ victory over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. He had arthroscopic knee surgery in January but was participating in spring practice, which began last week.

USC Coach Pete Carroll said Sunday that he learned of Wright’s situation Saturday. He said he had not spoken to Wright, but had been in contact with the player’s family. Carroll also said police had been in contact with USC.

“We don’t know a whole lot of information, but we’re doing everything we can to help and cooperate,” Carroll said in a phone interview. “I’m sure we’ll know a lot more as we go through the next couple of days.”

USC conducted the third of its 15 spring practice workouts Friday. The Trojans were off over the weekend and will resume practice Tuesday.

Carroll said the Trojans were not scheduled to meet today because of players’ class schedules, but he said he would address team members in groups. “I’ll get to all of them,” he said. Carroll said he expected university officials to make a determination about Wright’s immediate status by today.

On the eve of spring practice last year, offensive lineman Winston Justice was arrested on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon; he eventually pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of exhibition of a replica firearm. Justice was suspended by USC after his arrest and missed two semesters but has been reinstated and is participating in spring workouts.

The incident involving Wright has started the second sexual assault investigation of USC football players in less than a year. Last August, the LAPD began an investigation after a woman reported that she had been sexually assaulted during a gathering at a housing complex near campus, where the football team stayed during training camp. No arrests were made, and in December the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office announced that it would not file criminal charges.

In regard to the incident involving Wright, Carroll said he “felt terrible” for the alleged victim. He also said he did not think his program was out of control.

“We don’t know any of the details of the situation, but it’s just disappointing to think that these things have to come up even to be considered,” he said.