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Two Alabama students arrested over alleged Florida spring break sex assault Two Alabama students arrested over alleged Florida spring break sex assault
(10 days later)
Two college students from Troy University in Alabama have been suspended after authorities discovered a cellphone video that allegedly shows them sexually assaulting a woman at a beach while a large crowd of spring-break revelers watches.Two college students from Troy University in Alabama have been suspended after authorities discovered a cellphone video that allegedly shows them sexually assaulting a woman at a beach while a large crowd of spring-break revelers watches.
Bay County sheriff Frank McKeithen described the video as “very, very graphic” and called it the “most disgusting, sickening thing” he had ever seen. He said the footage showed several men surrounding an incapacitated woman on a beach chair.Bay County sheriff Frank McKeithen described the video as “very, very graphic” and called it the “most disgusting, sickening thing” he had ever seen. He said the footage showed several men surrounding an incapacitated woman on a beach chair.
The victim told authorities that she thought she had been drugged at the time, and she did not remember the incident well enough to report it.The victim told authorities that she thought she had been drugged at the time, and she did not remember the incident well enough to report it.
Delonte Martistee, a 22-year-old senior from Bainbridge, Georgia, and Ryan Calhoun, a 23-year-old sophomore from Mobile, Alabama, were arrested on Thursday in Alabama on Florida warrants. Martistee remained in jail on Sunday in Panama City. Calhoun was released on bond. The sheriff’s office said additional arrests were expected.Delonte Martistee, a 22-year-old senior from Bainbridge, Georgia, and Ryan Calhoun, a 23-year-old sophomore from Mobile, Alabama, were arrested on Thursday in Alabama on Florida warrants. Martistee remained in jail on Sunday in Panama City. Calhoun was released on bond. The sheriff’s office said additional arrests were expected.
Court records do not list attorneys for either man. Calls to a phone listing for Calhoun were not immediately returned. A phone listing for Martistee’s mother rang unanswered.Court records do not list attorneys for either man. Calls to a phone listing for Calhoun were not immediately returned. A phone listing for Martistee’s mother rang unanswered.
Authorities have released few details of the assault, which they say happened sometime between 10 and 12 March but was only recently uncovered while university police were investigating a shooting.Authorities have released few details of the assault, which they say happened sometime between 10 and 12 March but was only recently uncovered while university police were investigating a shooting.
The sheriff’s office released a short video of the crowd they said was present at the time. The recording shows a seemingly normal day at the beach for dozens of bikini-clad spring breakers goofing off and standing around, talking about Instagram. At one point, a few people cheer, but it’s unclear why. The sheriff’s office released a short video of the crowd they said was present at the time. The recording shows a seemingly normal day at the beach for dozens of spring breakers goofing off and standing around, talking about Instagram. At one point, a few people cheer, but it’s unclear why.
Sheriff’s spokeswoman Ruth Corley said the video was released “to show the crowd that was surrounding the incident and to show people, not only was it a horrible event, but it was witnessed by so many people who did absolutely nothing to stop or call police”.Sheriff’s spokeswoman Ruth Corley said the video was released “to show the crowd that was surrounding the incident and to show people, not only was it a horrible event, but it was witnessed by so many people who did absolutely nothing to stop or call police”.
The sexual assault followed a shooting that injured seven people in March at a spring-break beach house party. Beach officials have cracked down on underage drinking and increased the presence of law enforcement because of such violence.The sexual assault followed a shooting that injured seven people in March at a spring-break beach house party. Beach officials have cracked down on underage drinking and increased the presence of law enforcement because of such violence.
“We have got to get control of our beaches,” the sheriff said. “It is not safe for our children to be out there on the beaches when these animals are out there.”“We have got to get control of our beaches,” the sheriff said. “It is not safe for our children to be out there on the beaches when these animals are out there.”
Troy University dean of student services Herbert Reeves said on Sunday that both students had been temporarily suspended. Martistee was also removed from the track and field team, he said.Troy University dean of student services Herbert Reeves said on Sunday that both students had been temporarily suspended. Martistee was also removed from the track and field team, he said.
The university athletic department’s official website lists Martistee as a Bainbridge High School athlete who has competed for Troy in the high jump, long jump and triple jump. He was a Georgia high school state champion in the triple jump and participated in football, basketball and soccer in high school, according to the site.The university athletic department’s official website lists Martistee as a Bainbridge High School athlete who has competed for Troy in the high jump, long jump and triple jump. He was a Georgia high school state champion in the triple jump and participated in football, basketball and soccer in high school, according to the site.
On Sunday morning, dance music still pumped as cleanup crews mopped and swept the dance floors outside the Spinnaker Beach Club, where the assault was said to have happened.On Sunday morning, dance music still pumped as cleanup crews mopped and swept the dance floors outside the Spinnaker Beach Club, where the assault was said to have happened.
Zack Sasser, who has rented out beach chairs and equipment for the past four years, picked up beer cans, cigarette butts and the occasional condom that littered the beachfront. He said the biggest issue with spring break was binge drinking.Zack Sasser, who has rented out beach chairs and equipment for the past four years, picked up beer cans, cigarette butts and the occasional condom that littered the beachfront. He said the biggest issue with spring break was binge drinking.
“People come down here and go from zero to 60, and they cannot handle it,” he said, adding he did not think spring break was any more out of control than normal, but that more people were filming every action.“People come down here and go from zero to 60, and they cannot handle it,” he said, adding he did not think spring break was any more out of control than normal, but that more people were filming every action.
At a Panama City Beach McDonald’s, teenagers Timia Bryant and Arabia Quigley, both 17, were among a group of 15 teens from Atlanta.At a Panama City Beach McDonald’s, teenagers Timia Bryant and Arabia Quigley, both 17, were among a group of 15 teens from Atlanta.
“I felt safe because I was with my friends,” Bryant said. “We always stayed in groups and checked on each other.”“I felt safe because I was with my friends,” Bryant said. “We always stayed in groups and checked on each other.”
Quigley said spring break safety comes down to personal choices.Quigley said spring break safety comes down to personal choices.
“If you are drinking or doing drugs or not paying attention to who you are with, it can be dangerous,” she said.“If you are drinking or doing drugs or not paying attention to who you are with, it can be dangerous,” she said.