VCU basketball player, student both charged with simple assault
Freshman VCU basketball forward Jalen DeLoach was arrested and charged with simple assault last month. Photo by Kaitlyn Fulmore
Katrina Lee, News Editor
Freshman VCU basketball forward Jalen DeLoach was arrested and charged with simple assault last month. Taylor Cook, the student who reported the assault, was served with a warrant for simple assault in connection to the case the next day, according to VCU Police Department spokesperson Corey Byers.
VCU police received a report of the assault on Feb. 20 at around 12:57 a.m, Byers stated. Cook, 18, reported she was assaulted in the off-campus student apartment complex of 8 ½ West Canal Street at around midnight of Feb. 19, according to Byers. The apartment complex is owned by American Campus Communities.
DeLoach’s attorney, Arnold Henderson, said DeLoach denies involvement in any activity that violated the law or “impinged upon the rights of any person.”
“In fact, after disclosure of the full version of events, Ms. Taylor Cook was arrested and charged with the criminal offense of assaulting Jalen [DeLoach]. Jalen [DeLoach] looks forward to providing the accurate version of events in the appropriate forums,” Henderson said.
“Cook was served an outstanding warrant for simple assault in connection to this case. This is an active investigation,” Byers stated.
Cook’s arraignment hearing is to be held on March 14 at 9 a.m. according to the Virginia Judiciary Online Court System.
Simple assault occurs when a person tries to commit assault or attempts to place someone in fear of immediate injury by threatening them, according to FindLaw. Penalties for simple assault in Virginia are zero to 12 months in jail, and a maximum $2,500 fine, according to Virginia Code.
DeLoach’s arraignment hearing will be held on March 23 at 9 a.m. at Richmond-John Marshall Criminal-Traffic General District Court, according to the Virginia Judiciary Online Court System.
Despite the arrest and charges, DeLoach participated in the Atlantic 10 basketball conference tournament quarterfinals on Friday at the Capital One Arena.
VCU athletics spokesperson Christopher Kowalczyk did not elaborate on DeLoach’s charges and participation in the A-10 tournament.
“University Relations, via VCUPD, and Jalen’s representation each provided statements to several media outlets on this matter on Feb. 24. VCU Athletics will not have any additional comments at this time,” Kowalczyk stated in an email.
Contributing Writer Ana Sofia contributed to this report
