Ex-NFL player facing sex charge
Meggett was on probation when arrested Tuesday
By Glenn Smith
Former NFL running back David Meggett is accused of sexually assaulting a 21-year-old woman in her North Charleston home early Tuesday, his second such arrest while on probation for a 2006 attack in North Carolina, authorities said.
Former NFL star David Meggett was at one time the league's career leading punt returner.
At the time of Tuesday's incident, Meggett, 42, of Summerville, was free on $50,000 bail in connection with an October arrest in North Charleston for allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old on Sept. 26, court records show.
South Carolina probation officials notified their counterparts in North Carolina after the October arrest, waiting for some instruction on what they should do about Meggett. They are still waiting for a response some three months later, said Pete O'Boyle, press officer for the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services.
North Carolina officials blamed the delay on a paperwork mix-up and said they now plan to take the matters to a judge who can determine if Meggett's probation should be revoked.
Meggett, a celebrated running back and punt returner who played 10 seasons in the NFL, was being held late Tuesday in the Charleston County jail on charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and first-degree burglary. A magistrate denied him the opportunity to make bail.
The victim told police that she awoke at 1 a.m. to find an acquaintance she knew as "Mike" sitting on her bed. The man demanded that she repay $200 she owed him. She told him she didn't have the money but she would pay him when she got her check on Friday, an affidavit said.
The man became irate, ripped the sheets from her bed and said, "I'm going to collect a down payment now," an affidavit said. It said he grabbed her by the throat, pinned her arm behind her back and had forcible intercourse with her.
Previous stories
Ex-NFL star Meggett accused of sex assault, published 06/30/01
"The defendant then stood at the victim's window, saying 'I'm sorry, not to worry about the $200.00 that you owe me,' " the affidavit said.
The woman drove herself to Roper St. Francis Northwoods emergency room, and while she was waiting for treatment, her attacker called her numerous times on her cell phone to say that he was sorry and that he would pick her up, the affidavit said. It said a police officer directed her to tell him to come to the emergency room, where he was later arrested, an affidavit said.
Investigators didn't realize that "Mike" was actually Meggett until he showed up at the hospital looking for the woman, said Spencer Pryor, North Charleston's public safety spokesman.
The victim in the Sept. 26 case also told police that Meggett had called himself "Michael" when he was around her. The teenager told police she met Meggett through a mutual friend and he forced to her have sex at a Railroad Avenue home after inviting her to breakfast, according to a police report. He is charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct in that case, court records show.
Meggett, a graduate of Bonds-Wilson/North Charleston High School, had a solid career in the NFL and, at one time, was the league's career leading punt returner. He played six years with the New York Giants, three with the New England Patriots and one with the New York Jets. But off the field, he had his share of problems.
While with the Giants in 1990, Meggett was arrested in Baltimore on a charge of offering to pay an undercover female police officer for sex.
Meggett was later dropped from the New England Patriots' roster in 1998 after his arrest in Toronto, Canada, for allegedly assaulting an escort worker after a three-way sexual encounter. He was found not guilty of a theft charge connected to the incident. A trial on the assault charge ended with a hung jury in April 2000.
In 2001, Charleston police arrested Meggett for allegedly sexually assaulting an intoxicated 26-year-old woman after they left a downtown nightclub. No record of a disposition of those charges could be found Tuesday, and police said it appears the case was dismissed.
Meggett went on to land a job as parks and recreation director in Robersonville, N.C., but ended up resigning from his post in 2006 after he was accused of sexually assaulting his former girlfriend, then 27. He was convicted of sexual battery, a misdemeanor, a year later and received two years probation. He was allowed to move back to South Carolina in February and serve his probation here, authorities said.
North Carolina authorities received word of Meggett's October arrest in South Carolina, but there was some confusion because the name on the paperwork didn't match the birth date they had on file for Meggett, said Keith Acree, public affairs director for the North Carolina Department of Corrections. It took until last week for them to verify that he was indeed the right man and that action should be taken, he said. Acree said he was unsure what caused the delay.
Nadine Parks contributed to this report. Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or gsmith@postandcourier.com.
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tonytocaus (anonymous) says...
Seriously, Dave Meggett was not already in jail? I'd assumed, b/c we hadn't seen him in the news lately, that he was locked up. What a tragedy- my prayers go out to all his victims.
January 14, 2009 at 2:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BillytheKid (anonymous) says...
wow, what a down hill trip.
January 14, 2009 at 2:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Slick50 (anonymous) says...
Remember when sports figures were heroes, not newspaper fodder?
January 14, 2009 at 4:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
holy crap, talk about being allowed to be a repeat offender over an over and over... this system is all screwed up
how do you change the system to actually protect future victims from becoming victims at all in a system that lets people like this out over and over??
we needed elected judges instead of appointed so we have some kind of control over this kind of injustice
looks like the only thing that will stop people like this is a .45 from a citzen...
January 14, 2009 at 6:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Looks like our criminal justice system (or what ever the proper name is) has lost its way. IMHO, anyone who is arrested for a violent crime, crimes involving fire arms and also major crime of property such as Al or that guy in NY ($50 billion) etc should be kept in jail until the trial. I don't care about prison room - build some out door prison camps ( like that sherif did in one of our western states) - who says these criminals have to be comfortable, have access to phones, t/v etc. Place them where they can do no more harm.
January 14, 2009 at 6:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Neponset;You got it half right. However, holding people accused of a crime is not the same thing as holding them based on a conviction.
This sh!thead was on probation, an indication that he had been convicted of something and he puts himself in a position of violation of parole ( I THINK ?) and is probably a good candidate to remain in jail till his trial.
We don't need more jails. We need ,as required by the constitution, that pile of papers that seems to have been lost in the shuffle of new age legalize, "speedy and public trials" as well as appropriate punishment for those convicted.
January 14, 2009 at 7:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Seems as if NC is as screwed up as we are...making a mockery of justice. Government should exercise revenge, not rehabilitation, on violent criminals; that should be corrective enough to discourage repeating the crimes.
January 14, 2009 at 7:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
studley (anonymous) says...
and the band played on ...
January 14, 2009 at 7:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Yird
True, but the open air prison camp (concentration camp) idea could also be used for convicted criminals - too much early release for a lack of space. It would be a win - win solution in these tough economic times. Make it hard and long time.
I agree - swift justice, but it is not going to happen in my life time.
January 14, 2009 at 8:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
snaganaga (anonymous) says...
Giants could have used him on Sunday.
January 14, 2009 at 8:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
give_it_a_rest (anonymous) says...
They will see if his probation should be revoked, why the heck wouldn't it.This man is going to keep assaulting women as long as the oppurtunity comes up and as long as he is left alone with a unsuspecting woman.He needs to be locked away for the rest of his life.
January 14, 2009 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
Not all NFL players are thugs as Megget, the late Reggie White, Warrick Dunn, Jerry Rice and Kurt Warner come to mind.
January 14, 2009 at 8:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
"Remember when sports figures were heroes, not newspaper fodder?"
AMEN!!!!
"Giants could have used him on Sunday."
I'm still reeling from that game. UGH!!!!
January 14, 2009 at 8:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
give
The sad part of this is that he has probably raped other woman that have just kept quiet - too hard to face an aggressive defense lawyer, who would try to make the victim look like a whore..
January 14, 2009 at 8:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blackberry_fan (anonymous) says...
"how do you change the system to actually protect future victims from becoming victims at all in a system that lets people like this out over and over??"
The system is not going to change. That is why victims should protect themselves. I just don't understand everyone wanting the government to protect them. We have become a nation of sheep waiting for the government to protect us from the big bad wolf. And then we wine when they don't. Until we decide we are not going to be a victim these things are going to keep happening. Arm up and protect yourself and quit wining.
January 14, 2009 at 8:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
I fully endorse women getting trained in the use of firearms and to be authorized concealed carry for protection. If this had been the case, when she walked in on him in her apartment she could have just shot him right there, end of conversation.
January 14, 2009 at 8:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigfacenfresh (anonymous) says...
This man is an animal...he needs to be raped in jail to show him what it feels like.
January 14, 2009 at 8:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
His reeming is coming on cell block #5
January 14, 2009 at 9:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HighDef (anonymous) says...
Off point but how do these knuckleheads make it through college ? I see that he had to leave Morgan St for Towson, I'm thinking b/c he raped someone there too ?
I think early childhood education and classes on parenting are going to be a must for anything to change...building more jails and everyone carrying a gun at all times seems a little absurd. The law needs to tighten up on these Meth heads and rapist's...way to easy for them right now to slip out.
January 14, 2009 at 9:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
Carrying guns may seem a little absurd....but it won't seem that way when only Gov't, police and criminals have them.
January 14, 2009 at 9:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HighDef (anonymous) says...
not the legality of carrying a gun, just the thought that it will be there and save you everytime you're attacked. I'm all for gun rights
January 14, 2009 at 9:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
blue
No, perhaps a poor choice of phrase.
January 14, 2009 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sbs920 (anonymous) says...
Sick Puke! He should be locked up for a long time and throw away the key and spend some quality time with "big bubba". I sure there are many others victims who will come forward after the fact! Whatta Dope! To bad he and POS Vick could share a cell together. . .
Guess its safe to say little Dave won't be making plans to be in DC for the inauguration huh. . .
January 14, 2009 at 9:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
Maybe Dubya will give him a pardon.
January 14, 2009 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HighDef (anonymous) says...
Yeah Megget was a huge Obama donor..da huh huh
b/c he is black he is going, right ?
Good SC humor I guess
January 14, 2009 at 10:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
islandbenzbc (anonymous) says...
Send him to prison with his hands handcuffed to his ankles...let "Master Johnson" have fun with him!
January 14, 2009 at 10:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Surfcaster (anonymous) says...
Throw an acorn on the jury.
January 14, 2009 at 10:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Funky_Winkerbean (anonymous) says...
Big "F-N" deal another big headed athlete thinks he can do
anything he wishes... Sorry Bro! You go'N' to be in the Big
House now. Let's see who is the raper or the Rapee now-
Life's not a football-
Funky-Winkerbean
January 14, 2009 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
This guy is disgusting. He has assaulted so many women I actually lost count while reading this article. I agree with the poster who said there are probably more victims. So many victims never come forward. I hope he rots in jail.
January 14, 2009 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Cid95 (anonymous) says...
Blue_Eyes,
"Concentration Camps" were first used by the British at the turn of the last century in South Africa during the Boer War.
The Boers (descendants of the earlier Dutch settlers) were mobile, not tied to bases or traditional supply lines. They achieved this in part by receiving strong support from local populations in villages and scattered farms. They were using classic guerilla tactics and giving the British military fits.
The British, realizing this, decided the solution was to concentrate the population in camps so they could keep an eye on them and they wouldn't be able to give aid to Boer combatants. This plan did work, however the camp conditions were poor and many of the occupants died, often women and children. It's a point of contention between the white English-descended South Africans and the Afrikaaners to this day.
In common usage, we associate the term "concentration camps" with the Nazis (who were concentrating occupied Europe's Jews and others in them for the purposes of labor and extermination) but that is not its origin.
January 14, 2009 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Cid
Very scholarly dissertation and perhaps provides some support for my original post on this problem of not enough cells for this exploding criminal population.
January 14, 2009 at 11:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
flinsc (anonymous) says...
What will he do to me? I owe him $300.
January 14, 2009 at 11:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Satanssybil2007 (anonymous) says...
AFWALLY too funny they do not go by blocks in jail or prison......
this guy should have the 3 strike law imposed on him. life is what he deserves or it will be one poor woman after the other
January 14, 2009 at 11:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guidedbystewart (anonymous) says...
Most people can concur that sex offenders are disgusting and vile!
January 14, 2009 at 11:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
disgustedcitizen (anonymous) says...
This p.o.s. is a serial rapist who has been released by our so-called justice system to victimize women over and over again. These judges need to be elected so that when they release criminals like this with a $50,000 bond- which means this former NFL player had to put up $5000 up front- after he has shown the courts that he is a danger to society, the public can FINALLY hold these judges accountable!
January 14, 2009 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Kerry (anonymous) says...
What a justice system, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick received higher bail and a harsher sentence for dog fighting. The previous judges should be charged right along with this guy as accomplices.
January 14, 2009 at 1:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCGirl0901 (anonymous) says...
Ok.. So what is the magic number to be a "Serial Rapist"?? Let's see - we have an assault in Canada in '98. 2 victims in 2001, 1 victim in NC in 2006 and 2 in N. Chas in 2008.. And the City/County we live in are worried about dogs in the backs of trucks??? It just doesn't add up..
January 14, 2009 at 2:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
palmettotree (anonymous) says...
Never heard of him. Now I have I simply am not impressed. You have the good guys dying young and pos like him just keep on giving. Speaking of giving, I hope she doesn't get any stds.
January 14, 2009 at 2:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
STREETWISE (anonymous) says...
like they said .....you get a harsher sentence for cruelty to animals then you do for crimes against person. When you can (aledgedly) rape and or molest children and get probation somethings wrong with this picture! ya think?
January 14, 2009 at 2:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justbeingme (anonymous) says...
Has he ever have sex with women over 30?
January 14, 2009 at 2:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kontact (anonymous) says...
TO ALL: He will eventually get a bond and do the same thing again after all the hoopla about this incident blows over. He will get a bond because he didnt sell drugs and his crime wasnt drug related. Drug cases you get time-raping innocent women and you get probation. Criminal justice system at work people!!
Anyway and this sicko doesnt take care of his kids--I know personally a young lady that has a child with him that he doesnt support--Lock em up and keep him cause that is just as bad!
January 14, 2009 at 3:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MRSCVS (anonymous) says...
This man if you can call him that DIGUST me to the highest.
He needs to be behind bars this man is a sexual deviant and if let to rouse he will be charge with murder next because it is obvious he has not learn a DAMN thing from all of his troubles.
JMO
January 14, 2009 at 3:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
squirt16oz (anonymous) says...
How in the world can the police and courts let this man roam the streets after he has accumulated the record of sexual assaults (and even just the allegations) related in this article?? Who keeps letting him off? We need to get the judge or magistrate responsible, and get them off the bench or out of office-I don't care what they say-they are not serving the public good. My God what is "law and order" in this State coming to??
January 14, 2009 at 7:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wonderdog (anonymous) says...
The police don't let him roam the streets - his freedom and bail are decided in the judicial system.
This creep is a serial rapist. I wonder how many women he has attacked who didn't come forward (there usually are more).
LOCK AND LOAD
January 14, 2009 at 9:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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