Sexual assault charges against UNC football player Allen Artis have been dropped
CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (WTVD) -- Kerry Sutton, an attorney for suspended UNC football player Allen Artis, says all charges against him have been dropped.
Orange County District Attorney Jim Woodall said the matter was resolved to the satisfaction of both parties but would not elaborate.
In September 2016, during a news conference at her attorney's office in Raleigh, fellow UNC student Delaney Robinson publicly accused Artis of sexually assaulting her in an on-campus apartment on Valentine's Day while she says she was intoxicated and unable to consent. She swore out misdemeanor warrants against him.
The reserve junior linebacker from Marietta, Georgia, was also indefinitely suspended from the football team. He has consistently denied the allegations, claiming the sex was consensual.
Artis has also been cleared by UNC Chapel Hill. Sutton said the university's Title IX compliance coordinator found no violation of the school's sexual misconduct policy after conducting a thorough investigation.
"This travesty hanging over him is finally over," said Sutton at a news conference Thursday afternoon.
Speaking to reporters, Artis said the accusations have taken a toll on him and his family.
"I'm thankful this process is finally over. It's been a long time. It's a bit overwhelming right now," he said.
Artis did not say if he plans to return to football - only saying that he's "keeping his options open."
He also said the accusations against him have affected his grades and his future plans. His attorneys said they worry that despite the charges being dropped that the accusations will continue to hang over him in his future.
Sutton says she's now considering taking action against Robinson's lawyer for sharing what she says was a manipulated photo of her apparent injuries.
Robinson's attorney Denise Branch said in a statement:
"The parties worked diligently at mediation to resolve this matter to their mutual satisfaction resulting in a dismissal of the charges. The resolution is confidential. Delaney has suffered immeasurably and hoped that today's resolution could begin her healing."
