USU Football Player Arrested For Sexual Assault On Campus
Apr 18, 2021, 8:48 PM | Updated: Jul 11, 2023, 11:33 pm
LOGAN, Utah — A football player at Utah State University was arrested after he allegedly broke into a dorm and sexually assaulted a female student.
The incident happened on campus early Sunday morning.
According to the probable cause statement, several residents of the Living Learning Center on USU campus said they saw 22-year-old Ismael (Izzy) Kalani Vaifoou walking around in building #D, entering “several suites on several different floors” along the way.
A woman who lives in one of the building’s suites reported Vaifoou “entered her room and took a step towards her bed,” but left once she asked who he was.
A football player at Utah State University was arrested after he allegedly broke into a dorm and sexually assaulted a female student.
@FeliciaKSL has the latest details on #KSLTV. pic.twitter.com/redVLL6y3Q
— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) April 19, 2021
Another woman who resides in the same suite said Vaifoou entered her bedroom while she was asleep.
“She stated to officers that she awoke to find Izzy laying in her bed next to her in only his underwear,” read the statement.
The woman reportedly pushed him off and told him to get out. She stated he got up, put his clothes on and left her room.
Witnesses said after they talked to the woman, she “disclosed that Izzy was touching her inside her underwear,” while another report “stated Izzy was inside of her.”
The document stated Vaifoou was seen entering two other suites.
An occupant in one of the suites said Vaifoou “entered his apartment and … disclosed to him that he was intoxicated and that he had entered a dark apartment and asked if I should be there and a girl said no.”
When officers arrived on scene, they found him on the first floor of Building #D.
“Upon speaking to Izzy they could detect an odor of an alcoholic beverage as well as other indicators showing signs of impairment due to alcohol,” read the statement.
He was then transported to the USU Police Department. Officials said he also received a medical clearance at the hospital.
During the interview process, officials said Vaifoou admitted to entering the apartment, taking off his clothing down to his underwear, getting in bed with a girl and laying next to her.
“He stated that he then touched her breasts, vagina and butt,” read the PC statement.
Vaifoou claimed the touching was all over the clothing and that the woman was asleep as he did it. He then asked the woman if she wanted to have sex, according to the document, at which time she woke up and pushed him away. That’s when he said he got dressed and left the apartment.
“It should be noted that none of the involved parties knew the suspect Ismael Kalani Vaifoou personally just recognized him as someone in the building,” according to the document.
He was arrested and booked into the Cache County Jail on charges of forcible sexual abuse, burglary of a dwelling, two counts of criminal trespass within a dwelling and intoxication.
USU spokesperson Amanda DeRito said Vaifoou was suspended from the team and all team activities Sunday.
The incident was under investigation by USU police.
Ismael (Izzy) Kalani Vaifoou’s booking photo. (Cache County Sheriff’s Office)
“He lives in the same place we live … and it’s scary to think that someone like that is walking around or possibly someone you could know didn’t really realize they were capable of that,” said USU freshman Kara Banks.
