A former college basketball standout who was on probation from Iowa while playing for the University of Utah is in jail again. Travis Spivey now faces possible extradition to Iowa where his probation may be revoked and he may be sent to prison.
Spivey was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Monday for investigation of an interstate compact violation, which is given to people who violate their probation while in another state, said Adult Probation and Parole supervisor Bradley Bassi. A 15-day retainer to keep Spivey in jail was also placed on him.
Under the terms of his probation, Spivey was not allowed to drink alcohol, be in nightclubs where alcohol is the main beverage or travel outside the state without permission. AP&P agents have recently spotted Spivey at various nightclubs in downtown Salt Lake City, Bassi said. One agent event saw him at a casino in Wendover, Nev., he said.
Spivey was also arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail Friday by Salt Lake City police for investigation of battery, a class B misdemeanor, in a domestic-violence case. Spivey allegedly hit his live-in girlfriend's mouth with his open hand, causing bleeding and swelling, according to a jail report.
According to a Salt Lake City police report, Spivey was lying on a couch when his girlfriend came home and asked what he was doing?
"Travis became agitated with (the girlfriend) because she was asking him so many questions," according to the report.
Spivey then stood up and threw a chair and knocked over a lamp with his hand, the report stated. That's when he hit his girlfriend and then ran out the door, according to the report. The girlfriend called police to report the incident.
When police found Spivey, he said his girlfriend kicked and hit him first. The only explanation he had for her injury was, "she must have hit herself and was trying to blame it on him," the police report stated.
He was released from jail the same day but failed to report his arrest to AP&P, another requirement of his probation. Spivey's probation officer didn't find out about the domestic violence incident until Monday, Bassi said.
Spivey was a senior this past season with Rick Majerus' club. He was suspended one game by Majerus for a verbal altercation with the coach during practice.
"We have been made aware of this apparent serious situation," said Utah athletic director Chris Hill. "At this time we must rely on the legal system to take its course. Normally this type of incident would fall under our student athlete behavior policy, but since Travis has already graduated, it is not applicable."
Spivey finished up his final requirements for graduation this semester and was expected to receive his diploma in June.
Before coming to Utah, Spivey played basketball for Iowa State and Georgia Tech. It was in Iowa where Spivey encountered many of his off-court problems. He was arrested for intoxication and assault at a restaurant.
In a separate incident, Spivey pleaded guilty to statutory rape, a third-degree felony, after having consensual sex with a 15-year-old girl.
Corrections officials in Utah were working with Iowa officials Tuesday to have Spivey's probation revoked and have him sent back to Iowa where he could be sent to prison for his rape conviction, Bassi said.
Contributing: Mike Sorensen
E-MAIL: preavy@desnews.com