SALT LAKE CITY — A University of Utah football player has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and raping a 17-year-old girl.
Terrell Maurice Perriman, 20, of Miami, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail Thursday for investigation of kidnapping, rape, enticing a minor and dealing in harmful materials to a minor.
Salt Lake police say Perriman met a 17-year-old girl on Instagram and the two continued to communicate on Snapchat.
“The victim stated the suspect pressured her multiple times to send him nude photos. The victim also received multiple videos that were sexually graphic in nature and pictures that was also sexually graphic in nature,” according to a police affidavit.
The girl later met with Perriman at his apartment in downtown Salt Lake City. Once there, Perriman refused to let the girl leave until she engaged in sexual activity with him, the affidavit states.
“While in the bedroom the victim observed a blue Taser and she stated she was afraid he would use it on her. The victim repeatedly asked Perriman if she could leave but he refused,” the affidavit states. “The victim stated that she started crying because she wanted to leave and she was scared. The victim attempted to leave the room, the suspect caught her attempting to leave and physically forced her back into the room.”
Perriman then raped the girl while putting his hand over her mouth to prevent her from screaming, according to the police affidavit.
Salt Lake police detective Greg Wilking did not know how long the girl was held captive or how she was able to escape. After police became aware of the situation, they were able to track down Perriman and arrest him early Thursday without incident.
Now police fear there could be additional victims.
“We’re concerned that there are people that may be out there who may be victims. In cases like these, there are often other victims,” Wilking said.
Anyone who may have been a victim is asked call Salt Lake police victim advocates at 801-580-7969.
Perriman was a redshirt freshman on the University of Utah football team in 2019.
U. head football coach Kyle Whittingham issued a statement saying Perriman was suspended.
“We were made aware of the very serious allegations involving a member of our football program and he was immediately suspended from all team activities. We have since been informed that Terrell Perriman has been arrested by the Salt Lake City Police Department. Obviously, this does not reflect the values and standards of our program and we will continue to monitor the situation as it moves through the legal process,” Whittingham said.
“We are cooperating with the authorities and university personnel and will continue to assist as requested. Due to the ongoing legal proceedings, we are unable to comment further at this time.”
In 2018, Perriman played in two U. football games on special teams and at wide receiver before he redshirted. He played in 10 games during the 2019 football season.
“I have been in close contact with campus leadership and head football coach Kyle Whittingham regarding the alleged incident and the arrest of student-athlete Terrell Perriman,” said Director of Athletics Mark Harlan. “The details alleged in the police report are disturbing and difficult to read and my heart breaks for the survivor in this case and for all survivors of sexual assault.
“We have more than five hundred student-athletes who proudly and deservedly represent the University of Utah with character, integrity and kindness and we will not allow the alleged actions of anyone to define who we are and what we are about,” Harlan continued. “We will continue to educate our student-athletes on appropriate conduct, decision-making and consent. We will also continue to cooperate with law enforcement in this matter and provide any assistance that we can.”