UCLA Punter Arrested on Rape Charges

A UCLA football player was arrested on suspicion of rape stemming from an alleged attack a year ago, authorities said today.

Bruins sophomore punter Adam Searl, 20, was arrested Thursday on campus, and was booked on suspicion of three counts of rape, Los Angeles Police Department Officer Jack Richter said.

Bail was set at $300,000, and Searl was released late Thursday night, according to the sheriff’s department. He has been suspended indefinitely from the UCLA football team, according to Coach Jim Mora.

Detectives plan to present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office on Tuesday for consideration of possible charges, Richter said.

On Oct. 19, 2014, a female UCLA student “reported that she was the victim of a sexual assault,” Richter said.

“She had met the suspect outside of an off-campus house party in Westwood, and he accompanied her to a nearby residence,” Richter said.

“She fell asleep and awoke to discover the suspect sexually assaulting her,” according to Richter.

An investigation by LAPD and UCLA police led to Searl’s arrest.

Anyone with information about the case, or who may be a possible victim, was urged to call police at (213) 473-0447, or (877) LAPD-247.

Searl has punted five times this year for the Bruins, averaging 39 yards per kick.

City News Service