Five University of Memphis football players have been named intwo separate criminal investigations, according to police incidentreports. Charges have been filed in one investigation, while theother has listed the players as suspects.
Running back Derron Parquet and defensive lineman LaValeWashington were arrested July 2, for allegedly setting fire to aGMC Yukon in a field near Eads, in East Shelby County. The SUV,valued at $35,000, belonged to Parquet's father, Stanley.
According to the report, a witness identified a black 2000 MazdaProtoge leaving the scene of the burning vehicle. Colliervillepolice later stopped the vehicle, driven by Larry Miller, andreceived permission to search it. Authorities found a plastic bagcontaining muddy clothing, shoes and a lighter. The original chargeof arson was reduced, and Parquet and Washington now face counts ofsetting fire to personal property, a lesser felony. Each player isset to be arraigned on those charges July 20.
In a separate incident, four players -- including Washington --are suspects in a counterfeit money ring. The Commercial Appealreported July 8 that a U of M employee discovered $480 in fakebills in June in the apartment shared by Washington, Maurice Avery,John Doucette and Abraham Holloway.
The Secret Service is investigating the matter, said Bob Winn,assistant athletic director for media relations.
"We have confirmed there is an ongoing investigation by theUnited States Secret Service," he said. "Since it is ongoing, weare not allowed to comment further."
At publication deadline, no charges had been filed. So far,Coach Tommy West has not suspended from the team any of the playersinvolved in the investigations.
"Once we get the facts, we'll do what we deem appropriate foreach individual situation," West said at a press conference lastThursday.
The fourth-year coach said he has spoken with each of the fiveplayers.
"I've listened to their side of the story," West said. "I thinkI've got most of the facts. I don't have all of them. We'll seewhere it goes from here."
Depending on the outcome of the investigations, Memphis couldlose some important pieces from last season's 9-4 team. Avery, asecond team All Conference performer, led all Tiger receivers with49 catches for 742 yards and eight touchdowns.
Doucette, a tight end, contributed 17 catches for 194 yards.
Parquet gained 487 yards on 95 carries as the main backup toDeAngelo Williams.
Washington started four games last season, and Holloway playedsparingly.
These aren't the first Tiger athletes in trouble this year.Walk-on point guard Clyde Wade, who was indicted on federal fraudand conspiracy charges, was found not guilty June 24. He wasreinstated to the men's basketball team.
Wade was among nine people, including his mother, Ida Wade,indicted for selling fraudulent gift cards last October. PatriciaJohnson, a former county inmate, used personal information totamper with Goldsmith's credit accounts, recruiting store clerks,including Ida Wade, to purchase gift cards with the fraudulentcredit.
The jury decided Wade had no knowledge of the fraudulent natureof the gift cards, some of which he peddled to teammates athalf-price. The acquittal means Wade will rejoin the basketballteam in full capacity this fall. He continued to practice lastseason but was suspended immediately following his indictment.
