Marion County, Florida – On Wednesday night, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested Robert M. Murphy Jr., the former director of sports medicine at North Carolina State University, on a series of out‑of‑state fugitive warrants issued by North Carolina. The online warrant database listed 23 counts of sexual battery and nine felony sexual‑contact charges against Murphy.
Background of the allegations
The criminal case grew out of a federal civil lawsuit filed in 2022 by a former Wolfpack athlete who alleged that Murphy, while providing treatment, repeatedly touched the genitals of athletes during massages and observed them during urine‑sample collection for drug testing. That single complaint sparked a cascade of similar claims.
By early 2025, 14 former male athletes had joined the suit; the number rose to 31 by January, with most plaintiffs remaining anonymous as “John Doe” to protect their identities. A North Carolina judge dismissed the civil case in June on procedural grounds, noting that many claims were barred by the statute of limitations and that the proper forum should have been the state’s Industrial Commission, which handles workplace disputes for public‑university employees.
Legal responses
Murphy’s former attorneys, Raleigh‑based lawyers Jared Hammett and Seth Blum, reiterated their client’s innocence, arguing that the Wake County District Attorney’s office is pursuing the case based on a “changing story.” They cited a 2022 campus‑police investigation that found insufficient evidence for criminal charges.
Durham attorney Kerry Sutton, who has represented several of the athletes since the original complaint, welcomed the criminal filing, praising Wake County Assistant District Attorney Melanie Shekita for her dedication and the cooperation of law‑enforcement agencies in both North Carolina and Florida.
Impact on the university and athletics community
The lawsuit identified nine individual defendants, including Murphy, former athletic director Debbie Yow, and current AD Boo Corrigan, alleging negligence in oversight. While the civil case remains on appeal, the criminal charges bring renewed scrutiny to the university’s handling of athlete safety and the broader issue of sexual misconduct in collegiate sports.
University officials have not issued a new statement since the arrest, but the incident underscores the importance of robust safeguarding policies, transparent reporting mechanisms, and swift investigative action when allegations arise.
What’s next?
Murphy remains in the Marion County jail pending a hearing on the extradition request from North Carolina. The case will proceed through the Florida criminal courts, with the possibility of a trial that could set precedent for how out‑of‑state sexual‑abuse allegations are prosecuted.
Stakeholders—including university administrators, athletic departments, and advocacy groups—are watching closely, emphasizing the need for stronger protective measures for student‑athletes and accountability for those entrusted with their care.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
