Maryland

Former University of Maryland Basketball Player Charged With Rape

Prosecutors say Dodd, 24, raped a woman he met on Halloween at a bar near the university's campus

A former University of Maryland basketball player has been charged with rape.

Damonte Dodd was indicted on charges of second-degree rape, second-degree assault and related charges, the Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office announced Friday afternoon.

Prosecutors say Dodd, 24, raped a woman he met on Halloween at a bar near the university's campus. The woman was intoxicated, and Dodd forced sex on her, state's attorney Angela Alsobrooks said.

"The fact that the victim in this case was intoxicated did not give Mr. Dodd the right to take advantage of her," Alsobrooks said in a statement. "We will conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that he is held accountable for his actions."

Dodd's attorney, Thomas Mooney, said he believes Dodd will be cleared of the charges. 

"We think there are several facts that are going to come out in the future, and he'll be exonerated," Mooney said. "It's just a matter of getting it in front of a judge or a jury and letting the process run its course." 

University of Maryland Athletics had no comment. 

Prosecutors say the woman and her friends went to a bar on Knox Road in College Park to celebrate Halloween. The woman met Dodd for the first time, and he bought her drinks. Then, the two left the bar, and Dodd took her to a friend's apartment.

While the woman was intoxicated, Dodd had sex with her "against her will" early Nov. 1, prosecutors' statement said. Someone who lived in the apartment confronted him.

The woman contacted police five days later.

Dodd said he and the woman had consensual sex, prosecutors say.

Mooney said Dodd had been returning from Mexico to turn himself in when he was arrested Thursday.

He's being held in Atlanta, and is due in court in Prince George's County on July 12. He will make the trip on his own. 

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