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LOGAN — A Utah State University football player is in police custody after police say he broke into an on-campus dorm and sexually assaulted a female student Sunday.
Isamel (Izzy) Kalani Vaifo'ou, 22, was witnessed walking around Building D of the Living Learning Center on USU's campus. There were several reports of Vaifo'ou entering multiple suites on different floors, according to the probable cause statement.
Each suite has a door off of the hallway that leads into a common room with separate doors leading to five individual bedrooms. Both the doors off the hallway and the doors to each bedroom have locks that are controlled by students who live in each suite, however, several suites are often left unlocked.
One female student was sleeping in her private bedroom and woke up to the sound of the common room door opening and closing. The student said she texted her roommate who was sleeping in a separate bedroom to ask what was going on. After texting her roommate, Vaifo'ou entered the first room and walked toward the student's bed. When she asked him to identify himself, he left.
According to the statement, the second roommate reported that Vaifo'ou entered her bedroom while she was asleep. She told officers that she woke up to find him lying next to her in her bed wearing only his underwear. She said that she pushed him and told him to get out and he put his clothes on and left the room.
Campus police say a witness who spoke with the second roommate after the incident disclosed that she said Vaifo'ou inappropriately touched and assaulted her.
Police say the witness said Vaifo'ou entered his suite and another suite. Vaifo'ou told the witness that he was intoxicated and had entered a dark apartment and interacted with a female student. The witness left Vaifo'ou in the hallway and sought help.
Officers found Vaifo'ou on the first floor of the building showing clear indicators of alcohol impairment. He was taken to a local hospital for medical clearance before being transported to the USU police department.
Police say after being interviewed with police, Vaifo'ou confirmed the incident and stated that he did not know anyone he interacted with.
Vaifo'ou is being held in the Cache County Jail on suspicion of forcible sexual abuse, one count of burglary, two counts of trespassing and one count of intoxication. USU Police are investigating the incident.
USU spokeswoman Amanda DeRito said he has been suspended from the football team and all team activities. He also cannot go on campus without being escorted by campus police.
Students can report crime on campus by calling 435-797-1939 or report campus misconduct on the university's Office of Equity. Resources for students who have experienced sexual misconduct can also find resources on the university's website.
