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Cory Butler-Byrd, a senior receiver for Utah football, is facing a criminal mischief charge after damaging a University Police vehicle and patrol building, according to court documents filed Tuesday.
The 21-year-old California native could face up to one year in jail for the class A misdemeanor filed in Third District Court.
He was suspended indefinitely last week from the football team for what coach Kyle Whittingham described as "personal issues."
According to the statement of probable cause, two University Police officers responded to a "loud pop and the sound of glass shattering" while working in the police patrol room on South Campus Drive. They ran outside and found Butler-Byrd, referred to in documents by his given name Cory Butler, "preparing to throw a large white sign."
After arresting him, the officers saw that one of the building's windows was broken. Butler-Byrd told them he had thrown a piece of wood at the window, which shattered it.
One of the officers also noticed that the rear window of his patrol car had been shattered, and the roof had a "large dent" in it. Video footage showed a man jumping on the roof of the car something police said Butler-Byrd also admitted to.The officers released Butler-Byrd afterward. The damage is estimated to exceed $500.
Butler-Byrd was expected to compete for a starting spot in Utah's offense after playing as a corner, receiver and kick returner. In a statement, Whittingham said Tuesday that Butler-Byrd's status with the team "has not changed" and he remains suspended from team activities but on scholarship.
Butler-Byrd is being represented by attorney Greg Skordas, who also represented cornerback Dominique Hatfield when he faced assault charges last year. Butler-Byrd is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 13.
Matthew Piper contributed reporting for this story.
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