13 years after the disturbing Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal that rocked the Penn State program (and university community), new allegations of abuse tied to the football program are bubbling to the surface.
According to a New York Post report, prosecutors have charged former Penn State players Jameial Lyons and Kaveion Keys with a felony rape and other charges stemming from an alleged incident that occurred at an on-campus apartment this summer.
The pair were members of the football team up until Aug. 3, when they were dismissed from the team.
Penn State head coach James Franklin, when asked to address the charges, walked away from the microphone at a press conference when a reporter asked about the situation.
A Penn State spokesman ahead of James Franklin’s post-practice media session says the head coach will have no comment on Jameial Lyons and Kaveion Keys. Both former players face felonies including rape.
Qs about both have since been asked and James Franklin will not answer. pic.twitter.com/qfD83jTzWy
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) October 23, 2024
When a reporter asked when Franklin knew over the summer that Lyons and Keys wouldn’t be on the team, Franklin walked away and the team spokesperson reiterated what he had said before.
“Again guys, the university already released a statement,” he said. “We’ll have no further comment.”
Franklin then reappeared and waited for questions about the team’s upcoming game against Wisconsin.
Charging documents became publicly available on Wednesday, saying Lyons was accused of raping a 17-year-old Penn State student on July 7 at an on-campus apartment.
Lyons is also being accused of groping, digital penetration and forcing the female student to perform oral sex, according to reports.
Keys faces similar charges, including a police affidavit of probable cause indicated that a brief video of the interaction with the accuser was found on Lyons’ cellphone.
Lyons also faces charges of indecently assaulting a second intoxicated woman, and the affidavit said neither woman consented to sexual contact.
Lyons admitted to having sex with the accuser and told police that he thought it was consensual, though he conceded that the female would “likely report the situation to the police,” the affidavit stated.
According to The Athletic, the two deny recording anything during the alleged incident.
This is an on-going story. Check back for further developments.