Robert M. Murphy Jr. arrested for alleged abuse of NC State athletes

Robert M. Murphy Jr., the former director of sports medicine at North Carolina State University, has been arrested in Florida on warrants from North Carolina. A Wake County grand jury indicted Murphy on September 14, charging him with nine felony counts of sexual contact under the pretext of medical treatment and 23 misdemeanor counts of sexual battery.

The criminal charges follow years of allegations and civil litigation. The case initially began with a federal civil lawsuit filed four years ago by a single athlete, alleging misconduct such as improper touching during massages and intrusive observation during drug testing. While the number of athletes involved in civil lawsuits grew to over 30, the current criminal indictment is linked to 14 victims interviewed during a multiyear investigation.

Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman stated that the indictment is “a big step in a longer process committed to seeking justice on behalf of these victims.” Murphy was taken into custody in Marion County, Florida, and is being held pending further legal proceedings.