Son of former NFL star indicted on criminal sexual conduct charge
An Horry County grand jury has indicted former Coastal Carolina University football player Ray Lewis III with third-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Lewis III, the son of the former NFL star linebacker by the same name, is accused of engaging in sexual battery of an 18-year-old female who was mentally incapacitated or physically helpless to defend herself due to the use of drugs or alcohol during a Jan. 23 incident, according to the indictment.
Officers responded to Grand Strand Medical Center at 4:18 a.m. Jan. 23 in regard to a sexual assault that two victims allege happened at 2291 Technology Blvd., an address corresponding to University Suites.
According to information released by the Conway Police Department, officers compiled medical reports from the hospital, victim statements, witness statements and lab results and presented their findings to the 15th Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office for review. After that review, a warrant was obtained in April for 21-year-old Ray Anthony Lewis III, of Apopka, Fla.
Lewis turned himself in and was released on $10,000 bond.
A Conway police report of the incident states there were two victims who were not named, and the warrant was in regard to “victim 2” while the complaint with victim 1 may be presented to the solicitor’s office again at a later date.
The case is still active and investigators are seeking additional witnesses and leads. The Conway Police Department asks anyone with information on the case to call 843-248-1790.
Lewis III, a 5-foot-9, 195-pound defensive back, played a limited role in 12 games last season for Coastal Carolina after transferring from Miami. The university suspended him indefinitely from the football team after his arrest.
“Once CCU became aware of an incident, the University immediately began facilitating the administrative investigation, which includes requests to Conway Police Department for the police report and other information pertaining to the case,” according to a statement from the university in April. “Immediately upon arrest, Ray Lewis III was suspended indefinitely from the football team. The University continues its administrative investigation process.”
University officials declined to provide information about their investigation and findings, requested under the Freedom of Information Act by The Sun News, stating the information is “protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law that protects the education records of students.”