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Image credit: NC State Athletics, Fair use.
A former NC State sports medicine director previously accused of sexual abuse by more than 30 former athletes is now facing 32 criminal charges in North Carolina, the Associated Press reported per News Channel 13 WBTW.
Former NC State Director of Sports Medicine Robert Murphy Jr. has been arrested after a Wake County grand jury indicted him on 32 sexual abuse charges tied to alleged misconduct involving student-athletes.
Murphy, who worked at NC State from 2012 to 2022, faces nine felony counts of sexual contact under the pretext of medical treatment and 23 misdemeanor counts of sexual battery, according to court records. Authorities arrested him in Florida, where he waived extradition back to North Carolina.
The charges involve 14 alleged victims and conduct dating from 2016 through 2021, according to unsealed indictments.
Criminal Charges Follow Years of Civil Allegations
The criminal case follows years of allegations from former NC State athletes who say Murphy touched them inappropriately during medical treatment and drug-testing procedures.
The complaint alleged that Murphy improperly touched athletes’ genitals during massages and subjected them to intrusive observation while collecting urine samples for drug testing.
The lawsuit also alleged that concerns about Murphy’s conduct were widely known within the athletic department and that university officials failed to take effective steps to protect athletes.
Murphy resigned from NC State in 2022 after previously being suspended from his position.
Civil Lawsuit Was Dismissed Earlier This Year
A Wake County judge dismissed the civil lawsuit in June, citing issues that included expired statutes of limitations and jurisdictional questions involving claims against the public university.
That dismissal did not prevent prosecutors from pursuing criminal charges.
North Carolina does not impose a statute of limitations on felony offenses, and state law allows prosecutors to bring felony charges when sexual contact allegedly occurs under the guise of medical treatment.
The athletes have appealed aspects of the civil dismissal.
Prosecutors Say Charges Involve 14 Alleged Victims
Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said the charges are connected to 14 people interviewed during a multiyear law-enforcement investigation.
“This is a big step in a longer process committed to seeking justice on behalf of these victims,” Freeman said.
NC State said it is aware of the criminal charges and will cooperate with law enforcement.
The university has also faced renewed questions about what officials knew about the allegations and whether student-athletes had adequate avenues to report misconduct involving sports medicine staff.
Allegations Focus on Abuse During Medical Treatment
The felony charges are especially significant because they involve alleged sexual contact presented as medically necessary.
Prosecutors allege that Murphy told at least one athlete that sexual contact during treatment was necessary or would benefit the athlete’s health.
Cases involving athletic trainers, doctors and other healthcare professionals can be particularly difficult for survivors because physical contact is often a legitimate part of treatment. That can make it harder to recognize when professional boundaries have been crossed or when medical authority is being used to facilitate abuse.
The NC State case also raises broader questions about institutional responsibility when multiple athletes report similar concerns over an extended period.
RELATED COVERAGE:
17 former NC State athletes join lawsuit alleging sexual abuse by former head trainer
Survivors may have legal options when an institution failed to prevent abuse or respond appropriately to warning signs.
Learn more about institutional sexual abuse lawsuits.
