University of Montana Football Player Convicted and Expelled from School After Allegedly Sexually Assaulting a Young Woman

It was back in April when District Court Judge Luke Berger met with former University of Montana Western football player Kyrin Allen and his alleged victim to determine how he shall be punished for the crime he was accused of committing back in 2018. According to the Montana Standard, Allen was charged with sexual intercourse without consent. Apparently, a young woman and Allen both ended up at Metlen Hotel Bar in Dillion and had a few alcoholic drinks. The young woman says she woke up in her bed “feeling someone’s fingers penetrating her private parts.”

The young woman later told police that she was scared and pretended to be asleep while this was happening. But that didn’t stop Allen from having sex with her without her consent. After the woman recognized Allen, who she had become friends with back in 2017, she ran to a neighbor’s house a half-block away. After the alleged assault, Allen spoke with police and told them that he had a few drinks and met up with a woman at the Metlen Bar. He later walked her home and admitted to having intercourse with her, although he recalls being “extremely intoxicated.”

Criminal charges were eventually filed against Allen but were reduced after he accepted a plea agreement and plead no contest to a lesser charge of criminal endangerment. In April, Judge Berger sentenced Allen to spend 10 days in jail and follow all probation terms for three years. If he fails to abide by the probation terms, the deferred sentence would be revoked, and he would face a maximum 10-year prison sentence.

During the hearing, the young woman told Allen “Words do not describe the hell that you have put me through.” The victim, who is now 20, says her life has been a “whirlwind of emotions” since the incident which has caused her to suffer anxiety and depression.

Is there a difference between sexual harassment and sexual assault?

Although sexual harassment and sexual assault differ in meaning, one can lead to the other. Sexual harassment is typically a violation of your civil rights, not a criminal act, unlike sexual assault which is criminal in nature. For instance, if your boss made inappropriate comments toward you regularly even though you have asked them to stop, this could be classified as sexual harassment. However, if that same person began going to places you commonly attend without being invited or forced themselves onto you, then you may have a case of sexual assault on your hands.

If you are a victim of sexual harassment or sexual assault, a Montana sexual harassment lawyer can help you navigate the legal system which can be utilized for obtaining justice and the closure you deserve.