2 UNC Defensive Backs Arrested on Assault Charges

Two members of the North Carolina football team have been suspended indefinitely and will not play against Wake Forest on Saturday night after warrants for their arrests were served on Thursday.

The university announced Thursday night that sophomore cornerback M.J. Stewart and freshman cornerback Mike Hughes have been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules related to an incident that occurred earlier this month in Chapel Hill.

Mike Hughes via Chapel Hill Police

Chapel Hill Police Lieutenant Josh Mecimore says police received a report around three o’clock in the morning on October 4 referring to an incident at 303 East Franklin Street, the address listed for the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity House.

“A victim called and said that two suspects had come,” Mecimore says. “One, in particular, had punch and threw items at the victim and then left, came back with another person and it appears that another assault took place.”

Mecimore did not know if Hughes or Stewart were first involved in the altercation before both allegedly returned.

Stewart and Hughes both turned themselves in to Chapel Hill Police Thursday night, according to an arrest report. Stewart was charged with misdemeanor affray/assault and battery. Hughes was charged with misdemeanor assault inflicting serious injury. Hughes and Stewart were released after Hughes posted a $1,000 secured bond and Stewart a $2,000 unsecured bond. Hughes will be making his first appearance on Friday afternoon. Stewart is scheduled to appear in Orange County Court on October 22.

M.J. Stewart via Chapel Hill Police

Mecimore says since the incident occurred outside the presence of a police officer, a report was filed and the victims were instructed on how to pursue warrants, if they chose to do so. Warrants were issued on Thursday.

Mecimore says injuries to the victims did not “rise to the level of a felony.” Mecimore says the assault inflicting serious injury was from “I believe a broken nose” of one of the victims.

In a release, head coach Larry Fedora says, “We have been aware of the situation since the night of the altercation and have been working closely with the University and Chapel Hill Police to gather relevant information. We hold out players to a high standard and M.J. and Mike will face the consequences for their involvement.”

This is not the first time UNC defensive backs have been in legal trouble this year.  In July, senior cornerback Malik Simmons was suspended after being arrested on a charge of misdemeanor resisting arrest.

Post has been and will continue to be updated as more information is made available.

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