PJ submitted a comment to our latest Turn Up the Orange blog post that I felt the need to address. He writes:
“Two football players arrested on what sounds like pretty serious charges and no discussion? Why isn't this story getting more press?
Oh wait, this is UTEP we are talking about. (And you ALL know what I mean.) Wink, wink. Nod, nod. Nudge, nudge.”
I can’t answer why the arrests of UTEP running back Daniel Palmer and safety Nick Sampson aren't getting more discussion, PJ. But I agree that it’s a serious matter.
I must say, though, that the story has gotten an appropriate amount of press. Times reporter Stephanie Sanchez wrote a story that detailed the charges against both players that ran in Saturday's paper. This story came after a short item that was posted on our Web site Thursday, which ran in Friday’s paper, broke the news of the pair’s arrest.
As of now, there’s nothing new to report on the case. But you can be sure that the Times will be there when the two get their day in court.
I present Stephanie’s full story here and invite PJ and others to discuss if they wish.
UTEP football players accused of assault, robbery
By Stephanie Sanchez
El Paso Times
EL PASO — The two UTEP football players arrested this week are suspected of assaulting a salesman and stealing a home entertainment system from him, according to a police complaint obtained Friday.
The suspects are running back Daniel Palmer and safety Nick Sampson, both 19. Athletic Director Bob Stull said they had been suspended from the team pending the outcome of the case. A third man is being sought, police Detective Carlos Carrillo said Friday.
He would not say whether an arrest warrant had been issued for that suspect.
As for the victim, police identified him in the complaint only as a man named "Aguilera-Mota." Carrillo said he is 22 years old and a salesman for Ashton Home Theater Systems.
Aguilera-Mota told police he approached Palmer, Sampson and the third man Monday at the Circle K convenience store at Mesa Street and University Avenue, asking if they wanted to buy a home entertainment system. Sampson, he said, asked him to leave the system and he would pay later. Aguilera-Mota declined, then walked away to pursue other customers.
As he was leaving, he said, Palmer, Sampson and the other man stopped him and asked him to follow them in his vehicle. "(Aguilera-Mota) followed, thinking they were going to an ATM machine or bank for money," the affidavit stated.
Sampson, who was driving a red Ford Mustang with Palmer, drove to the parking lot of the Ryan's Crossing apartments at 535 S. Mesa Hills. It was not clear in the complaint whether the third Advertisement man was also in players' car. At the complex, Aguilera-Mota opened a box with a system. Then, the complaint stated, Palmer told Sampson to strike Aguilera-Mota.
"Hit him and take that," police quoted Palmer as saying.
Sampson, 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, allegedly punched Aguilera-Mota in the neck. Aguilera-Mota ran, but said Sampson chased him and grabbed him by his collar. Aguilera-Mota said somebody hit him a second time.
Then, he said, he looked up and saw Palmer putting the system in the back of the Mustang. Aguilera-Mota said the thieves then sped off. He gave police the Mustang's license number.
Sampson, who is from Houston, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of robbery. Jail records show he was released soon after on $40,000 bond. Palmer, of College Station, Texas, was released Thursday on $10,000 bond.
Stephanie Sanchez may be reached at ssanchez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6137.
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