Trojans Suspend Wright

USC cornerback Eric Wright, who was arrested last weekend on suspicion of rape, has been suspended from practicing with the team pending the outcome of a university investigation.

Wright, 19, was arrested Saturday morning after a female USC student reported that a member of the USC football team had sexually assaulted her, according to a statement released Monday by the Los Angeles Police Department. Wright was arrested and booked at the LAPD’s Southwest station. Bail was set at $100,000. He was released Sunday after posting bond.

Detectives from the Rape Special Section of the Robbery-Homicide Division are investigating the case, which will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office this week, the statement said.

A court appearance is scheduled for April 20, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department website.

Law enforcement sources said the district attorney’s office is scheduled to interview the alleged victim today. The detectives have already interviewed her, and police have secured physical evidence, sources said.

Michael Jackson, USC’s vice president of student affairs, said the university had begun an investigation.

“We do not publicly comment on student judicial cases,” Jackson said. “We will take appropriate action once the facts of the case have been determined.”

USC, which began spring practice last week, resumes workouts today. Coach Pete Carroll said that Wright would not participate.

“I haven’t been updated yet from the university’s perspective regarding Eric Wright’s situation,” Carroll said in a statement. “I know they will look into this thoroughly and take the time that is necessary to do this properly. Until I get more information and clarification, we’ll hold Eric out of practice.”

Wright, a redshirt sophomore from San Francisco who started the final four games last season, met with Carroll on Monday. Wright declined to comment as he exited Heritage Hall and referred questions to his attorney, Carmen Trutanich.

“It’s very early in the investigation, and there are no charges that have been filed to date,” Trutanich said in a phone interview. “The LAPD is still trying to document the events of the night, as are we.... In the end Eric Wright will be exonerated.”

The investigation involving Wright is the second sexual-assault investigation of USC football players in less than eight months. In 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 had stayed during training camp. No arrests were made, and in December the district attorney’s office announced that it would not file criminal charges.

“It’s the second accusation of rape ... that’s not a good deal at all,” senior cornerback Justin Wyatt said.

Wyatt said Wright was among 10 to 12 players who attended a party together Friday night on USC’s fraternity row. Wyatt said the players left the party together when it broke up about 2:30 a.m. Saturday.

According to USC’s Department of Public Safety website, at 1:54 a.m. a student reported a sexual assault at the Cardinal Gardens housing complex near campus.

The LAPD was notified, and officers responded to conduct a sexual assault investigation about 4 a.m. Wright was arrested a few hours later and was booked Saturday evening, according to the sheriff’s website.

“It was a slap in the face -- it was straight unexpected,” Wyatt said. “I went from seeing the guy across the street on my way home and then hearing he’s getting arrested.”

Defensive lineman Sedrick Ellis said he attended the party for a while but was not paying attention to Wright during the evening. He said Carroll addressed team members Monday about the situation.

“All he said was remain respectful, don’t put any predictions out there because we don’t know,” Ellis said.

Several players said that all USC athletes were required to attend a seminar at the beginning of the semester that addressed how to avoid potential situations that might result in trouble.

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Times staff writer Richard Winton contributed to this report.