Badgers’ Cephus Pleads Not Guilty to Sexual Assaults

Suspended Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Quintez Cephus is
pleading not guilty to charges alleging that he sexually assaulted two drunken
women in his apartment earlier this year. He entered the plea to charges of
second and third degree sexual assault during a hearing on Thursday.

 Cephus
claims the incident was consensual, while prosecutors argue the women were too
drunk to consent. His attorneys point to surveillance footage from his
apartment building showing one of the women walking unimpaired down the stairs
after leaving the apartment, while the other appeared to have a normal
conversation with Cephus at the door to his apartment. One of the women also
allegedly sent him a text containing a heart and kiss emoji about 45 minutes
after leaving. 

Cephus filed a federal lawsuit this week to block a university
disciplinary investigation, saying he can’t take part in it without hurting his
ability to defend himself against criminal charges. The university
investigation could result in Cephus being expelled from school.