Vols DL Alexis Johnson Charged with Aggravated Assault, False Imprisonment

Tennessee returns a lot of talent in 2016, and the Volunteers are expected to contend for an SEC title for the first time since the Phil Fulmer era. The program, however, is having a hard time staying out of the news.

Last week, a Title IX lawsuit hit Knoxville after accusations the university did nothing to investigate alleged rapes committed by footballers.

On Thursday, Vols defensive lineman Alexis Johnson was jailed on aggravated assault and false imprisonment charges. The details are not pretty.

From knoxnews.com:

Johnson, 20, was taken into custody at 8:43 p.m. Wednesday in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred at his apartment in Volunteer Hall, 1525 White Ave., early Sunday. He was released from the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility on $30,000 bond Wednesday night.

[...]

The victim, who previously dated Johnson on two occasions, told police she was “play fighting” with him in the living room and the bedroom of his apartment sometime between 3-5 a.m. Sunday when the horseplay turned violent, according to arrest warrants. The episode escalated when the 6-foot-4, 295-pound Johnson placed his hand around the victim’s throat, repeatedly choking her to the point that she could not fight back and felt she was going to pass out, warrants state. A witness said Johnson “appeared to be really punching her,” and that the victim’s lip was “busted,” according to the warrants.

“The defendant attempted to repetitively touch and kiss her and she repeatedly stated that she did not want to have sex with him,” the warrants state. “(The) victim attempted to leave the bedroom and said the defendant blocked the door prohibiting her exit. While doing so, the defendant stated, ‘You think I won’t (expletive) you up?’ ”

Tennessee already suspended Johnson as it investigates the matter. Johnson, of course, is presumed innocent until proven guilty.