COPPELL, Texas -- An athlete recruited to play football at Brigham Young University is facing criminal charges out of Texas for an alleged assault with a deadly weapon and possession of drugs, and an attorney for the accused spoke to FOX 13 News about the case.
Charles West from Coppell, Texas is one of the strongest recruits for the Cougars, named one of the top running backs in the country and one of the fastest recruits BYU has ever signed. Thursday, West was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of marijuana.
The alleged crime took place on January 28 at 12:30 a.m. in Coppell, Texas. FOX 13 News spoke with West's attorney, Hunt Bonneau, who said he has no doubt that West will be exonerated of the charges and that BYU is being supportive of the teen.
"We've spoken with BYU and they have acted just how you would expect one of our country's great institutions to act," Bonneau said. "They've got some special ideals and an honor code, and that the honor code is fully intact and that they are not going to bend on their morals no matter how much talent God has given to a football player. But, thankfully, they also appreciate the importance of due process and they are not wavering in their love and support of Charles until this legal process is finished, and we are thankful for that."
FOX 13 News has contacted the BYU football office multiple times, which has not responded to our messages or phone calls. FOX 13 News has also requested additional information about the specifics of the alleged incident from police in Coppell, but we have not yet received a response to a request for public records.
Former BYU linebacker and current Detroit Lion Kyle Van Noy seems to have West's back, tweeting "Before all y'all people jump to conclusion on my youngster C West, you need to look at yourself in the mirror. Great kid. Bright future!"
The tweet below shows BYU announcing their signing of West on Twitter.
FOX 13 News will continue to keep you updated as new information becomes available.
