By Stephanie Taylor
The Tuscaloosa News
Redshirt sophomore safety Deionte Thompson is one of four young men indicted on felony aggravated assault charges in relation to a spring break brawl on a Texas beach.
According to The Beaumont Enterprise newspaper, a grand jury returned indictments against Thompson, 20, and three other men last week. All four of the men were first charged and bonded out of jail in April.
The arrests came a month after the March 18 incident on Crystal Beach. Thompson, a backup free safety in his third year on the team, is from Orange, Texas, about 90 miles from the popular spring break destination.
A grand jury didn’t issue the indictments against the men until last week, the Beaumont newspaper reported.
The paper reported that alleged victim Noah Frillou, 18, had four plates in his face and his jaw wired shut. Citing court records, the newspaper reported that Thompson’s friend punched Frillou in the face and “just lost it” after a racial slur was said.
Deputies with the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office identified Thompson as one of two men who kicked Frillou while he fell to the ground, the newspaper reported in April.
UA coach Nick Saban said he continues to monitor the situation.
“We are continuing to follow the progress of the legal proceedings in this matter,” Saban said via statement. “We are not going to make any judgements until that process has been completed.”
Thompson has appeared in all eight games for Alabama, making 12 total tackles.
Previously: Thompson’s father said in April there’s more to the story.
