NASHVILLE – Four former Vanderbilt football players have been indicted on five counts of aggravated rape each of an unconscious 21-year-old student at a campus dormitory in June.
Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson credited Friday’s indictment to the painstaking work of detectives from the sex crimes unit and an electronics expert from the department. Nashville detectives even traveled to Palm Desert, Calif., for several days in late July working with the Riverside Co. Sheriff’s Office in California to collect evidence.
“Their investigation has uncovered compelling, unsettling evidence that was presented to the Davidson County Grand Jury earlier today,” Anderson said in a statement.
Safety Cory Batey, 19 of Nashville, Tenn.; defensive back Brandon Banks, 19, of Brandywine, Md.; receiver Jaborian “Tip” McKenzie, 19, of Woodville, Miss.; and tight end Brandon Vandenburg, 20, of Indio, Calif., also have been charged with two counts of aggravated sexual battery for an incident tipped to campus officials by surveillance video. Vandenburg also is charged with one count of tampering with evidence and one count of unlawful photography.
Vanderbilt dismissed the players June 29 and barred them from the campus pending the investigation. Vice chancellor Beth Fortune said Friday that their first thoughts are for the victim, a Vanderbilt student, and that the university will continue to offer her all of its services and support.