UPDATE: 7 WKU football players indicted by grand jury

Rebekah Alvey

A Warren County grand jury has indicted six WKU football and one past football players on charges from felony wanton endangerment to criminal trespassing following an incident at the WKU Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house March 5.

A press release from the Attorney General’s office, whose Special Prosecution Unit has been handling the case, said the indicted players are Quinton A. Baker, 19, Xavier D. Lane, 20, Tyler Obee, 18 and Cecil C. Stallings, 20. Each were charged with complicity to first-degree wanton endangerment, fourth-degree complicity to assault and third-degree criminal trespass.

Andrew O’Bryan, 19, was charged with menacing and third-degree criminal trespass.

Jachour H. Pearson, 19 a Christopher R. Johnson, 21 were both charged with third-degree criminal trespass.

In an interview with alumnus Jerald Armfield, he said he was tackled into a fence, beaten and kicked repeatedly in the incident. Armfield said members of the fraternity had seen messages from football players to other people that they would be going to the house and contacted Armfield for assistance.

Armfield works as a contract security guard and the company he works with handles security for all Greek chapters. As an alumnus of Pike, Armfield said he tries to advise the fraternity.

Attorney Brian Lowder, who is representing Baker, Lane and Obee, said there was an incident the night before the attack at the Pike house. Lowder said two WKU football players were attacked and called racial slurs by presumed members of the Pike fraternity.

Armfield said he was aware something had happened involving the football team and the fraternity, but it was not at the house. Armfield said he was not present and told Pike members to “stay away from it.”

Lowder said while no one can condone the behavior, there should be accountability for the Pike members as well.

Armfield said on the night of the attack he had no intention of going to the house, however, members of the fraternity called him claiming to see members of the football team. Armfield said he went to check the house where he saw people and immediately called Bowling Green Police.

Armfield said he went to the house hoping to prevent a fight and told the players he was an alumnus and was not involved in the incident the night before. Armfield said he sent members of the fraternity inside and told them to lock the doors.

“I just didn’t want anyone getting hurt that night,” Armfield said.

Armfield said someone threw a rock at his head before they tackled him into a fence and began beating him. The attack can be seen in a video sent to TMZ.

First-degree wanton endangerment, a Class D felony, has a penalty of one to five years in prison and a fine of $1,000 to $10,000.

Fourth-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor, has a penalty of up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $500.

Menacing, a Class B misdemeanor, has a penalty of up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $250.

Third-degree criminal trespass is a violation with a penalty of a fine of up to $250.

The Bowling Green Police Department investigated the case. The arraignment has been set for July 5.

WKUPD was contacted but did not respond in time for publication.

Reporter Rebekah Alvey can be reached at 270-745-6011 and [email protected].