LOGAN – A Utah State University football player is in police custody after police said he broke into a dormitory on campus and sexually assaulted a student on Sunday.
Isamel (Izzy) Kalani Vaifo’ou, 22, witnessed around building D of the Living Learning Center on the USU campus. There have been several reports that Vaifo’ou entered several suites on different floors, according to the probable cause statement.
Each suite has a hallway door leading to a common room with separate doors leading to five single bedrooms. Both the hallway doors and the doors to each bedroom have locks that are controlled by the students living in each suite, however, several apartments are left unlocked.
A student was sleeping in her private bedroom and woke up to the sound of the door of the common room opening and closing. The student said she sent a message to her roommate sleeping in a separate bedroom to ask what was going on. After sending a message to his roommate, Vaifo’ou entered the first room and walked to the student’s bed. When he asked her to identify herself, she left.
According to the statement, the second roommate reported that Vaifo’ou entered her bedroom while she was sleeping. She told the officers that she woke up and found him lying next to her in her bed, wearing only her underwear. She said she pushed him and told him to get out and he put on his clothes and left the room.
Campus police say a witness who spoke to the second roommate after the incident revealed that she said Vaifo’ou touched and assaulted her inappropriately.
Police say the witness said Vaifo’ou entered his suite and another suite. Vaifo’ou told the witness that he was intoxicated and that he had entered a dark apartment and interacted with a student. The witness left Vaifo’ou in the hallway and sought help.
Officers found Vaifo’ou on the first floor of the building with clear indicators of alcohol deficiency. He was taken to a local hospital for medical check-up before being transported to the USU police station.
Police say that after being interviewed by the police, Vaifo’ou confirmed the incident and stated that he did not know anyone with whom he interacted.
Vaifo’ou is being held in Cache County Jail on suspicion of forced sexual abuse, a charge of burglary, two rights violations and a charge of intoxication. USU police are investigating the incident.
USU spokeswoman Amanda DeRito said she was suspended from the football team and from all team activities. He also cannot walk on campus without being escorted by campus police.
Students can report campus offenses by calling 435-797-1939 or report campus violations to the university’s Equity Office. Resources for students who have experienced sexual misconduct can also be found on the university’s website.