Alabama Crimson Tide walk-on defensive back Antonio "Tonio" Ross has been dismissed and removed from the school campus after being arrested on a charge of second-degree sodomy with a juvenile female.
Alabama walk-on WR Antonio Ross arrested for sexual assault, charged with second-degree sodomyhttps://t.co/26TSEXh4Rr
— Barrett Sallee ?? (@BarrettSallee) September 12, 2023
Ross, 19, was arrested in Weaver, Alabama, after being indicted by a Calhoun County grand jury. He was released on $50,000 bond.
"Tonio Ross is no longer part of the program and has been removed from campus," Alabama said in a statement.
Details of the case haven't been disclosed at the time of this writing. Besides the charges, the only information available is that it was reported to the Anniston Police Department, which investigated the claim. The juvenile female was interviewed by the Calhoun County Children's Advocacy Center.
The juvenile's name and age haven't been released.
Googling "Tonio Ross" brings up a page for him on the Alabama website. He's listed as 6-foot-2, 180 pounds and a defensive back. However, upon clicking the link, a "404" message appears indicating the school has scrubbed him from its directory.
Ross was considered a preferred walk-on out of Alexandria High School. He wasn't under scholarship as a preferred walk-on but did practice and train with the team. While the school site listed him as defensive back, AL.com indicated he was a wide receiver.
Before heading to Alabama, Ross committed to Liberty under Hugh Freeze but eventually went to Alabama after Freeze accepted a job at Auburn.
Ross had 29 touchdowns as a senior in high school, mostly playing running back.
"This case highlights the need for these centers and funding for child advocacy workers who are specifically trained to interview children in a safe and comfortable space," Weaver police Lt. Andy Hunter said. "The investigation led to a decision to forward the case to a Calhoun County Grand Jury, which took place during the week of August 28th, 2023."
