Former Louisville Guard Chris Jones Charged With Rape And Sodomy [Update]

Former University of Louisville basketball player Chris Jones has turned himself in to police today after a warrant was issued for his arrest on Wednesday, according to the Louisville Courier Journal.

Jones, 21, is charged with raping a woman and sodomizing another. The alleged incidents occurred Saturday night following Louisville’s home victory over Miami. Jones scored 17 points in 36 minutes off the bench in the Cardinals’ 55-53 victory over the Hurricanes.

“The warrant says that one of the women was hospitalized Sunday and able to identify Jones as her assailant. One of the women is 19 and the other 20.”

At 10:40 a.m., Andrew Wolfson reported that Jones has pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released to on home incarceration in lieu of $25,000 bond.

Jones voluntarily turned himself in and has fully cooperated with police, according to Jones’ lawyer Scott C. Cox. Jones has officially withdrawn from Louisville to concentrate on his defense. He is currently living in a hotel.

Wolfson also said two others, identified as Tyvon Walker and Jalen Tilford, were charged in conjunction with the alleged sexual assaults. Walker is charged with one account of rape while Tilford is charged with one count of rape and one count of sodomy. Both defendants also pleaded not guilty and are being held in the Jefferson County Jail in lieu of $75,000 and $100,000 bail.

Jones, who has a history of off-the-court problems, was suspended indefinitely by coach Rick Pitino on February 17 for sending a threatening text message to a former girlfriend. He was reinstated to the team prior to the team’s game against the Hurricanes.

Pitino kicked Jones off the team on Sunday and his only comment was that Jones “was finished.”

Jones’ troubles started early in his life. He grew up in a tough neighborhood around Memphis and had temper issues throughout his high school career. One coach told Rick Bozich of WDRB that Jones moved four or five times during his junior year at Melrose High School.

Jones finished his high school career at Oak Ridge Military Academy in North Carolina and then spent two years at Northwest Florida Community College.

Jones, a senior, averaged 13.7 points and a team-high 3.6 assists a game.

[Photo by Andy Lyons / Getty Images]