Texas Longhorns wide receiver Cayleb Jones was charged on Tuesday with felony assault for allegedly hitting Longhorns men’s tennis player Joey Swaysland on Feb. 22.
A warrant was issued for Jones’ arrest and an Austin police spokeswoman said that Jones was expected to turn himself in on Tuesday. Texas coach Mack Brown has suspended Jones until the case is resolved.
According to the Austin police affidavit, Jones assaulted Swaysland in a downtown bar around 1:50 a.m. on Feb. 22. Jones observed Swaysland talking to Katherine “Khat” Bell, a Longhorns volleyball player who previously dated Jones, at the Club Aquarium at 403 East Sixth St.
“This conversation upset the suspect,” according to the affidavit via ESPN.com. “While both victim and witness were conversing, the suspect decided to punch the victim one time with a closed fist to the victim’s face on his right side.”
Swaysland sustained a fractured right jaw due to punch and remains sidelined with the injury.
According to police, Jones and Bell used to date, but their relationship ended on bad terms. Bell has accused Jones of having jealousy and anger management issues. Swaysland also informed police in a sworn statement that, prior to the assault, Jones issued threats to him about talking to Bell.
Following the altercation, Jones and Bell informed Texas strength and conditioning coach Bennie Wylie, who told Bell to tell her coaches. Wylie also informed Jones to tell his family and get an attorney. Wylie also gave a sworn statement to authorities confirming that Jones had confessed the assault to him, according to the police report.
If Jones is found guilty of the second-degree assault charge, he could receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Jones, who was expected to be a viable contender entering spring training, caught two passes for 35 yards and appeared in 10 games last season as a freshman.
