Glendale High graduate Jesse Meaux accused of first-degree rape, sex offense
One count each of first-degree rape and first-degree sex offense might permanently derail the career and aspirations of Glendale High alumnus Jesse Meaux.
The 23-year-old pitcher was recently arrested and charged with the serious offenses in North Carolina, where Meaux is a member of the Asheville Tourists, a minor league baseball team and low Class-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.
Meaux and Tourists teammate Michael Mason were both immediately arrested after warrants were issued Aug. 1 involving an alleged incident July 27. While Meaux posted $100,000 bail, Mason remained in Buncombe County jail.
Meaux and Mason then made their first court appearance Aug. 2, where both men were informed by Judge Calvin Hill that neither was allowed to leave the county.
The Colorado Rockies fan site roxwalkoff.com reported, “the alleged offenses involved one woman and happened in the early morning hours on [July 27] at the players’ apartment on Ascot Point Circle,” according to a police incident report and arrest warrants not immediately made available to the News-Press.
That incident report also noted that at least one of the individuals involved might have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Both players have been suspended by the Rockies and await a forthcoming court date of Aug. 23. Meaux and Mason are facing the potential of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The Rockies released a statement to the media last week.
“The Colorado Rockies and their affiliate, the Asheville Tourists, are aware of the arrests and the very serious allegations made against two players, Michael Mason and Jesse Meaux,” it read. “Each organization is shocked and deeply concerned about the allegations. At this time, the players have been suspended as the investigation and legal process continue,” the statement read.
“We are working with the authorities investigating the circumstances and issues surrounding the events and are awaiting further details and findings. Given that this is an ongoing legal investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment or speculate any further.”
While Meaux answered a phone call Friday, when asked to comment about the incident he responded that he “was told to forward all questions to his attorney.”
A call to Meaux’s attorney, Al Messer of Asheville, went unanswered.
Locally, former Glendale High baseball Coach Jon Keefer, who coached Meaux, said he was shocked by the news.
“Jesse was definitely one of the best players I’ve coached,” said Keefer, who still teaches social studies at Glendale. “I only coached him his senior year (2007) and he was a leader, one of the most respectful kids I’ve ever coached and just a good person.”
It was only in late June that Meaux, a right-hander who was hoping to leave the disabled list after suffering a right-shoulder injury, previously spoke with the News-Press about his chances of moving up the Rockies’ ladder.
Meaux boasted a team-best earned-run average of 0.90, which translated into two earned runs over 20 innings. During that span, he fanned 26 and walked 17 for a 1.25 WHIP.
In his last outing, Meaux went 1 1/3 innings and struck out three in a 6-0 home victory on May 24. Meaux has been on the disabled list since May 26.
“Hopefully, I will be able to pitch for at least the majority of August,” Meaux said on June 26. “The team and I just want to make sure everything is OK.”