Mizzou RB faces charge

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Suspended Missouri running back Derrick Washington was charged Monday with sexually assaulting a former tutor in her apartment over the summer.

Assistant Boone County prosecutor Andrea Hayes said that a single count of felony deviate sexual assault was filed against Washington, a senior from Raymore, Mo., and the Tigers' rushing leader the past two seasons.

Coach Gary Pinkel suspended Washington last week without disclosing details. Boone County court documents show Washington had been served with a protection order in late June and accused of sexual assault by a former Missouri tutor.

A campus detective's probable cause statement filed Monday says Washington entered the woman's closed bedroom while visiting her roommate and allegedly assaulted the woman while she slept.

A July hearing was delayed at the woman's request and the case appeared dormant after both Washington and the alleged victim failed to show up for the rescheduled hearing. But prosecutors continued to investigate and Washington's family has hired an attorney.

Washington surrendered to police Monday and was released after posting a $4,500 bond, attorney Bogdan Susan said. Susan said the back planned to plead not guilty.

Washington's legal troubles didn't prevent him from being named one of four team captains in July while also getting a school-paid trip to Dallas for the Big 12 Conference's annual preseason media gathering.

Before the charge was announced, Pinkel said that he is "kind of embarrassed" by a series of off-field problems involving the Tigers.

"We've worked hard to develop and build a program that has a very good reputation of being first-class and disciplined," Pinkel said as Missouri prepared to open its season against Illinois on Saturday in St. Louis. "We've taken a few hits."

The latest occurred Sunday with the early morning arrest of reserve tight end and long snapper Beau Brinkley, who was charged by state troopers with driving while intoxicated. That came one week after reserve linebacker Will Ebner's arrest -- and several weeks after assistant coach Bruce Walker's arrest -- for possible drunken-driving violations.

Susan, who also is representing Walker, said the coach has been charged with an alcohol-related offense. Ebner has not been charged. Both are scheduled to appear in court next month.

Asked if he could shed any light on Washington's suspension or the other cases, Pinkel demurred.

"For 10 years, I've never discussed anything [related to] discipline," he said.

School policy says that athletes charged with a felony cannot return to the field until the case is resolved. With a Sept. 23 arraignment hearing, Washington will miss the Tigers' first three games, if not more.