A Columbia University football player has been charged with committing a bizarre sex attack – sneaking into a sleeping female student’s room, licking her toes and then sexually assaulting her, court documents and authorities said yesterday.
Aaron Percival, a 19-year-old sophomore who plays defensive back for the Ivy League team, was released without bail yesterday after a hearing in Manhattan Supreme Court, where he looked like he was about to cry as his lawyer “categorically” denied the charges.
Percival allegedly attacked the woman at about 3 a.m. on Sept. 14. He tiptoed through the unlocked door of his accuser’s room, police sources and court documents said.
Once inside, the 5-foot-10, 141-pound second-string member of the Columbia Lions approached the sleeping woman’s bed and began licking her feet and toes, police said. He also tried to kiss the woman, an acquaintance Percival had hoped to date but had rebuffed him, sources said.
The kissing and licking awakened the woman, who started yelling. He then pushed himself down on her and knocked her head against the wall, according to cops and documents.
He then sexually assaulted her, causing cuts and scrapes, and only left when the woman’s telephone rang, police sources said.
The next day, the woman visited a clinic, where she was treated for her injuries. The accuser did not alert the school or police at that time.
But later that month, the suspect allegedly assaulted another 19-year-old freshman. Like the first victim, that woman didn’t alert police, sources said.
Word of the alleged attacks got around, and one of the victims went to university officials and detailed the two attacks. The university immediately called police, who launched an investigation, sources said.
The NYPD investigators and the Manhattan DA’s Office failed to bring charges in the alleged assault case for lack of evidence.
Yesterday’s sex charges, however, stunned Percival’s teammates, who said the cornerback from Plantation, Fla., was a respected player with a good work ethic.
“That’s real shocking because he’s a really good guy,” said Nick Bevins, 22, a defensive tackle on the team. “There are people out there I could believe it from, but not him.”
Percival’s lawyer, Brad Simon, questioned why it took eight months to bring charges in the incident and said one woman tried to remain friends after the alleged attack.
“The complainant had contact with the defendant in February and gave him her phone number in hopes of getting reconnected,” Simon said.
Percival refused to comment as he left court with his mother yesterday. He launched into foul-mouthed tirade toward photographers, shouting: “I’m gonna f- – – ing kill you. Don’t touch my mom!”
Back in his hometown, Percival was remembered as a hard-working athlete and good student.
“He was an award-winning student – one of our brightest academically,” said Plantation HS Principal Peter Tingom.
“He was a great football star, but I know more about his academic achievements. He was a good all-around citizen here, taking part in extra-curricular activities as well as football.”
Additional reporting by Malcolm Balfour and Todd Venezia