Two former players at major Division I college football programs were arrested this week for allegedly carrying out several robberies in two Los Angeles counties over two days.
According to The Los Angeles Times, Bryce Dixon and Trey Lealaimatafao, both 19, were arrested Tuesday and each charged with five counts of robbery and one count of carjacking, attempted carjacking, and assault with a deadly weapon.
Dixon, a tight end, was dismissed from USC's football team and expelled from school over allegations he sexually assaulted another student. A judge ruled against USC's expulsion and Dixon returned to school, The Associated Press reported, though he was not reinstated to the football team.
Lealaimatafao, a defensive tackle, redshirted last season and did not play, but was dismissed from LSU's football team when a woman accused him of hitting her while he was attempting to rob her boyfriend who he knocked unconscious, The AP reported.
Prosecutors accused Dixon and Lealaimatafao of randomly stopping people and threatening them before stealing from them. They both pleaded not guilty to all charges against them.
"When all the evidence and facts come out, he's going to be vindicated," Joshua Ritter, an attorney representing Dixon, told The Times. "He adamantly denies it and says he was not involved in any way."
The AP learned Lealaimatafao will be represented by a public defender until he finds a private attorney. Both men will return to court next month and could face a maximum of 15 years or more if convicted.
