Rugby star-turned-NFL player Jarryd Hayne was arrested in Australia this week on a sexual assault charge, and he faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
According to TMZ, law enforcement officials say Hayne has been accused of sexually assaulting a 26-year-old woman who says she met Hayne on social media. The victim said her Sept. 30 encounter with Hayne was consensual at first, but he then assaulted her and inflicted injuries on her.
Following an investigation, police charged Hayne with aggravated sexual assault inflicting actual bodily harm. A spokesperson from New South Wales Police said in a statement that police are still looking into the incident and the investigation is being led by detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad.
Hayne is a well-known rugby star in Australia, and the 30-year-old signed with the San Francisco 49ers in March of 2015. He rushed for 52 yards on 17 carries and caught six passes for 27 yards during his career. He announced his retirement in May of 2016 and returned to rugby after citing his unwillingness to learn a new playbook when the Niners hired Chip Kelly.
This is not the first time Hayne has been accused of a sex crime, as he is also being sued by a woman who says he raped her in 2015. Hayne was not charged in that case but is facing an ongoing civil lawsuit.
