Tennessee’s Von Pearson, left, pulls in a touchdown pass during the TaxSlayer Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla., in this Jan. 2, 2015, file photo.KNOXVILLE — Tennessee wide receiver Von Pearson will not face charges in connection to an alleged rape that occurred in April.
The Knox County District Attorney General’s Office released a statement on Wednesday afternoon that cleared Pearson, who has been suspended by the Volunteers football program and the university since he was named as a suspect in the police investigation on April 24.
“After a thorough review of the investigation, I have determined that there is insufficient evidence to sustain criminal prosecution against Von Pearson. Mr. Pearson will not be criminally charged as a result of the accusation made against him,” Knox County District Attorney General Charme Allen said in a statement released to the Times Free Press by Sean McDermott, the district attorney’s public information officer.
The Knoxville Police Department began its investigation into an alleged rape that occurred at the University Walk Apartments on Forest Avenue not far from Tennessee’s campus the day before the Vols’ spring game and turned the results of the investigation over to the district attorney’s office for review.
The Vols “are aware of the outcome” of Pearson’s legal case, but his status with the football program remains unchanged, according to Ryan Robinson, Tennessee’s new associate athletic director for communications.