Irvin Accused Of Assault Woman Alleges Dallas Receiver, Lineman Involved In Sexual Assault

A videotape seized in a search of the apartment of Dallas Cowboy tackle Erik Williams on Tuesday might determine, as a 23-year-old woman has alleged, if wide receiver Michael Irvin held a gun to her head while Williams and another man sexually assaulted her.

The woman, who was treated for cuts and scratches at Parkland Memorial Hospital, told police Monday night that the incident took place Sunday night - a day after the Cowboys’ 40-15 wild-card victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

“She was visiting, she’s a known acquaintance of Williams and apparently things got out of hand and she was forced to have sex with these two individuals against her will,” said Lt. David Goelden of the Dallas Police sex crime unit. “One of the individuals supposedly had a gun.”

In the police report, the woman identified the man holding the gun as Irvin.

Police served a search warrant at Williams’ home early Tuesday morning, and a videotape and other evidence was seized. A Dallas TV station, which apparently has had a working relationship with the woman in the past, reported that the assault was taped.

Sgt. Jim Chandler of the Dallas Police Department said the videotape appears to contain sexual activity, which the police “believe to be related to Sunday night.”

Chandler said no charges will be filed until they can “get some physical evidence processed in the lab.” That would be Thursday at the earliest. Police also plan to talk to both players that day.

If arrested, Irvin’s probation for pleading no contest to felony cocaine possession charges after police found him in a motel room with two strippers, could be lifted, exposing him to immediate jail time.

At his July 16 sentencing, in which he was given four years’ deferred adjudication, a $10,000 fine and 800 hours of community service, Irvin was told by State District Judge Manny Alvarez: “If you come back before me … I will find you guilty of this offense and you’re looking at 20 years in the penitentiary.”

David Lozano, Alvarez’s court coordinator, said the judge had no comment on the latest developments.

Irvin and Williams were on the Cowboys’ practice field Tuesday getting ready for Sunday’s playoff game in Charlotte, N.C., when the police went public with the woman’s accusations.

“I don’t know anything about anything,” said Irvin. “I have not done anything in any way, shape or form to violate my probation.

“I’m tired of it, tired of it all. I’ve done enough bad things to my family and my teammates. But in this case, I have done nothing. I don’t even know what everybody is talking about.”

Irvin’s attorney, Royce West, hinted the media was now persecuting his client for past sins.

“I wish the media would allow Michael to go ahead and take care of his business, and do what he wants to do-play football,” he said.

Williams had no more to say than “no comment” before being escorted by team security to a car to avoid the media crush at the Cowboys’ Valley Ranch practice facility.

Dallas Coach Barry Switzer closed the Cowboys’ locker room for 20 minutes after practice to allow team owner Jerry Jones to address the team. Switzer said later, “I will practice every player that is marked ready for duty and is eligible to play under NFL policy.”

Switzer expects both players to conduct business as usual in Sunday’s playoff game.

“This does not involve anything that will keep them from playing,” he said. “They’re going to deal with it and just go on. There’s no perfect timing for anything like this.”

At a police news conference, Lt. Goelden said the two will not be prevented from leaving the state while the investigation is under way.