SALT LAKE CITY — Brigham Young University announced Friday that prominent wide receiver Parker Kingston is no longer enrolled at the Utah private institution after his apprehension this week on a first-degree felony sexual assault charge.
Kingston, 21, attended his initial court hearing Friday in St. George, where legal representatives allege a woman, aged 20 at the time, reported to authorities that Kingston attacked her at her residence last February. His arrest followed a year-long inquiry during which investigators gathered digital and forensic evidence and questioned witnesses, according to Washington County Attorney Jerry Jaeger.
“I determined by compelling proof that Mr. Kingston posed a threat to public safety,” Judge John Walton declared during the proceeding.
Nevertheless, Walton permitted Kingston’s release Friday on a $100,000 bond, with $10,000 cash promptly remitted to the court, after his initial detention without bail.
His legal counsel, Cara Tangaro, consented to conditions that Kingston maintain no contact with his claimant or any prospective testifiers, abstain from social media, and wear a GPS ankle monitor to ensure he does not re-enter the southwestern Utah county, save for judicial proceedings. He presented himself before the judge via a remote video link from jail Friday.
Should he be found guilty, he could face a sentence of five years to life in prison.
Tangaro offered no prompt reply Friday to email and phone messages requesting a statement.
BYU representative Jon McBride stated that the administration and coaching staff were only informed about the inquiry and the claims against Kingston subsequent to his arrest this week. He refused to specify whether Kingston was expelled or departed the university voluntarily.
Kingston asserted to St. George Police that “all intimate activity” with the woman alleging sexual assault was “consensual,” as per a sworn statement revealed Thursday. The woman told investigators she had explicitly communicated to Kingston before his arrival at her house that she wished to abstain from sexual relations, and she instructed him to cease multiple times when he commenced sexual activity, the affidavit indicated.
BYU, the principal academic institution of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly referred to as the Mormon church, enforces a stringent code of conduct for students that forbids all intimate relations beyond the bounds of matrimony between a man and a woman. Those who contravene it can be subject to temporary expulsion, and for athletes, extended periods being benched.
Other prominent sports figures, including Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff, have chosen to depart BYU when confronted by lengthy suspensions for breaching the honor code.
Kingston was BYU’s top pass-catcher last season.
He is anticipated to attend his subsequent judicial proceeding on Feb. 25.