Thursday, March 3, 2011

March 2, 2011 Out of bounds: College athletes and crime

(CBS News)  
Top college football teams are always on the hunt for talent. Recruiters go to high schools to watch prospects in action and, of course, check their records - their playing records.
But what about their criminal records? Colleges rarely check those. But CBS News and Sports Illustrated did. CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian reports on the findings.
Vileseni Fauonuku was a one-man wrecking crew as a defensive lineman at Bingham High in South Jordan, Utah, last fall. Standing six feet tall and weighing 290 pounds, he was a big reason the Miners were the No. 4 ranked team in the nation.
"I love this kid," said his coach Dave Peck. "I would do what I could to try and help him in his life."
Fauonuku's life took a violent turn last March when he was arrested on two felony counts for robbery.
Inside a garage, the then- 16-year-old allegedly pointed a 9 mm pistol at two young men - while his cousin grabbed drugs, cash and a wallet. Detective Chad Hahn says Fauonuku also issued a chilling threat:
"If they called law enforcement, they'd do bodily harm to them," Hahn said.
"Bodily harm, meaning what?" Keteyian asked him.

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