URI player arrested for video voyeurism

KINGSTON, R.I. (WPRI) - A member of the University of Rhode Island basketball team has been arrested for allegedly video taping sexual encounters with women. Those videos were then posted on Facebook without consent.

Campus police arrested freshman Jonathan Holton, 21, of Miami, FL on Tuesday morning on two counts of voyeurism.

Investigators say the incidents involving two different women reportedly occurred on campus and were first reported to authorities on March 17th.

Police say the women said the sexual encounters were consensual and occurred in the fall.

Eyewitness News has learned that the alleged victims went to police after friends told them the videos were posted to Facebook and forwarded to about 30 people. Four videos have been turned over to police.

URI officials have suspended Holton from the basketball program and related activities as a result of his arrest.

“These are disturbing allegations that strike at the core of our commitment to make this a safe and civil campus community. Respect for the rights and privacy of all of our community members is paramount,” V.P. for Student Affairs Thomas Dougan said.

He continued, “Campus police and student affairs are involved in separate intensive investigations surrounding these allegations.”

John MacDonald, an attorney representing Holton, released the following statement;

“Jonathan Holton did not post any graphic images on his Facebook account nor did he email or forward these images to others. An unauthorized third party accessed Mr. Holton’s account without his consent and maliciously sent these images under his name. Mr. Holton is truly sorry for the pain and embarrassment that these actions have caused.”

Holton was arraigned on the charges and released on personal recognizance upon signing a waiver of extradition, since he is from Florida.

He has also been ordered to have no contact with the two victims.