CRIME

USU football player arrested on suspicion of rape, kidnapping, drugs charges

Jul 11, 2023, 11:33 AM | Updated: 11:35 pm

LOGAN, Utah — A Utah State University lineman has been arrested on suspicion of multiple first-degree felonies including rape, kidnapping and selling drugs.

Kingsley Holliday, who also played at Corner Canyon High School, and was part of the football programs at Snow College and SUU, is accused of taking a woman he didn’t know from an event venue on Sept. 3, 2022.

The victim said he dragged her across a parking lot, road and ditch, despite her repeated protests, and raped and sexually assaulted her, according to probable cause documents.

Holliday, according to an affidavit from 1st District Court in Logan, was seen at the event by witnesses and matched by DNA collected from the victim at a hospital the same night. The document states Holliday denied any involved with the abduction and sexual assault “but was concerned that the victim might be pregnant.”

“Part of that aggravated kidnapping charge was because of the unlawful detention,” said Chief Kent Goodrich of the North Park Police Department. “She was not wanting to go with Mr. Holiday. Did not want to be a party to what was, she feared was going to take place.”

In the documents, it is requested bail be denied for Holliday because it is believed “the suspect constitutes a threat to society.”

“The victim was unknown to the suspect, and the event appears random and unplanned in nature,” documents, written by officers from North Park Police Department state. Officers responded to a call that a victim was in the emergency room reporting the rape.

The victim said she didn’t know Holliday who grabbed her by her wrist and taking her away where he assaulted her.

“She didn’t know who the assailant was. She knew that he was a USU football player,” Goodrich said.

Previous to the arrest, Holliday has reportedly been observed selling drugs similar to adderall to a confidential informant by the Cache Rich Drug Task Force on the USU campus during school hours. Considered a “drug free zone,” the May 2 sale was enhanced to a first-degree felony. Earlier, on April 25, Holliday is accused of selling pills to an informant within 100 feet of the USU campus, also enhancing that suspected offense to a first-degree felony.

He was arrested on July 10 on suspicion of the following:

  • Aggravated kidnapping — while committing unlawful detention
  • Rape
  • Forcible sodomy
  • Two counts of knowingly producing or dispensing a controlled substance

According to the USU Football website, he didn’t appear in any 2022 football games, spent the 2021 season at Snow College and redshirted at Southern Utah University in 2019.

Documents state that when Holliday was arrested for sex offenses, “it was decided that Kingley would also be booked on this controlled buy.”

USU’s interim athletic director Jerry Bovee said in a prepared statement that “our student-athletes are trained and educated numerous times annually as it relates to sexual conduct, and we unequivocally will not tolerate any violations of the law.”

USU Football Troubled History

Utah State has a trouble history with rape cases involving members of its football team. The Utah Supreme Court recently denied an appeal from former player Torrey Green, found guilty in 2019 of assaulting six women. He was sentenced for up to life for the assaults.

One victim sold KSL TV that decision finally brought her closure.

In 2020 a U.S. Department of Justice report found reports of sexual assault went unaddressed on the Logan campus. In a KSL Investigates story, a student said the school mishandled her report of rape.

In a separate case, a different football player was formally charged with rape in the wake of the DOJ report.

Players ‘targets.’ Victims ‘glamorized.’ Lawsuit highlights secret USU football team recordings about sexual assault  

In 2021 head coach Blake Anderson apologized to victims in a statement for telling his players that it “has never been more glamorized to be a victim” and players are a “target to some.” He said he regretted the words and apologized to anyone who has bravely come forward with allegations of wrongdoing.

USU Police Chief Earl Morris resigned amid outcry to his warning to football players, captured in a different recording, that Latter-day Saint women may falsely report sexual assault.


If you have experienced sexual violence, you can access help and resources by calling Utah’s 24-hour Sexual Violence Help Line at 1-801-736-4356 (English) or 1-801-924-0860 (Spanish). You can also call the Rape Recovery Center office line during office hours at 801-467-7282 or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 for free, confidential counseling.

KSL 5 TV Live

Crime

On Wednesday a probation fugitive fled police leading to a high speed car chase involving several p...

Diana Jones

Multi-department car chase leads to capture of fugitive

ELWOOD, Utah — On Wednesday, a probation fugitive fled from police in a high-speed car chase that involved multiple police departments. At approximately 12:45 p.m., Weber County Adult Probation and Parole received a tip on the location of 24-year-old Brandler Stone. How he became a wanted person In Aug. 2024, Stone was sentenced to serve up […]

16 hours ago

squad car SLCPD...

Michael Houck

Convicted felon accused of kidnapping and threatening a security guard

A man is being accused of threatening a security guard with a broken shard of glass and demanding he take him to a gas station.

20 hours ago

Neil Gaiman arrives at the Art of Elysium Heaven Gala on Jan. 6, 2024, at The Wiltern Theater in Lo...

TODD RICHMOND

Woman’s lawsuits say sci-fi author Neil Gaiman repeatedly sexually assaulted her

A woman from New Zealand has filed three civil lawsuits accusing best-selling British author Neil Gaiman of repeatedly sexually assaulting her while she was working as his family’s babysitter and nanny.

2 days ago

Police at the scene of an incident at Risbergska School, in Örebro, Sweden, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025....

STEFANIE DAZIO

10 killed at adult education center, officials say it’s Sweden’s worst mass shooting

About 10 people, including the gunman, were killed on Tuesday at an adult education center in what Sweden’s prime minister called the country’s worst mass shooting.

2 days ago

The Buckhorn Draw Pictograph Panel within the San Rafael Swell was vandalized in January, as the Bu...

Alton Barnhart

BLM seeks information about vandalized Buckhorn Draw petroglyphs

The Buckhorn Draw Pictograph Panel within the San Rafael Swell was vandalized in January, as the Bureau of Land Management sought answers. 

2 days ago

Security footage of a man walking away with a rifle in a Moab parking lot....

Michael Houck

Man steals rifle from unlocked car in Moab parking lot, police say

Police are warning gun owners to secure their firearms after a man wandered off with a rifle from an unlocked car Sunday night. 

2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

USU football player arrested on suspicion of rape, kidnapping, drugs charges