Woman says she was assaulted by ex-Baylor RB, coaches knew

A woman who says she was physically assaulted by former Baylor running back Devin Chafin has come forward.

Dolores Lozano, a BU graduate, told Joe Schad that she was assaulted three times by Chafin, who was dismissed from the program earlier this month. On top of that, Lozano claims multiple Baylor staff members, including former head coach Art Briles and current assistant Jeff Lebby, were aware of the assaults.

Each of the three alleged assaults are said to have occurred in early 2014.

	Joe Schad @schadjoe
Here is a photo provided to me by former Baylor student Dolores Lozano pic.twitter.com/lHAwUnI0g3 12:12 PM - 7 Jun 2016

From Schad’s report:

According to a statement of facts prepared by Lozano's attorneys, Chafin "slapped," "kicked," "slammed Lozano against the wall," and "choked Lozano until she lost feeling in her body," in March of 2014. Lozano states in April of 2014, Chafin "slammed" her against a vehicle.

Later in April of 2014, Lozano alleges Chafin "forcibly and aggressively grabbed" her and "slammed" her "to the ground."

Chafin, when reached by Schad later on Tuesday, said he never "threw," "kicked," or "choked" Lozano, but admitted he did grab her. From a second Schad report:

Former Baylor running back Devin Chafin admits he "grabbed" Dolores Lozano "because she was fighting me" but claims he "never threw her to the ground, kicked her or choked her."

Chafin told me: "The story has been falsely constructed. No one knows the entire story. This girl is not who she claims to be."

After the first alleged incident, Lozano, who was in a “dating relationship” with Chafin, says she told Chafin’s mother and Lebby, who was Chafin’s position coach – a role he still holds – about the alleged assault. Also, Lozano said Chafin told her Briles, who was removed as head coach earlier this month, “had been made aware of the alleged assaults and had told Chafin to 'stay away' from Lozano.”

Lozano said other Baylor officials were also had been informed of her allegations. From Schad’s report:

Lozano states that after the first incident, she reported what happened to Chafin's mother and Lebby, who is still on Baylor's coaching staff. Lozano says she exchanged text messages with Lebby about the alleged incident, while trying to decide if she should go to Waco police. She also claims "Chafin's mom urged her "not to report the issue to police."

Lozano says she also brought the matter to LaPrise Williams, Baylor acrobatics and tumbling coach at the time of the alleged incidents. Lozano says Williams asked her about the bruising. She says Williams reported it to her superior, Nancy Post.

Lozano claims Williams also reported the alleged assault to Baylor Chaplain Wes Yeary and counselors at Baylor.

Lozano states that Chafin, with whom she had a dating relationship, told her Briles had been made aware of the alleged assaults and had told Chafin to "stay away" from Lozano.

Chafin had a different version of events, saying he never spoke to Briles about the situation. He did admit to consulting with Lebby.

Chafin said he never discussed the situation with former head coach Art Briles, but did with current assistant Jeff Lebby. Lebby is Briles' son-in-law, but Chafin said he has no knowledge of Lebby sharing their conversation.

Chafin said Lozano did have direct contact with Lebby, who today declined immediate comment.

"Coach Lebby told me to calm down," Chafin said. "I was emotional. I was crying. I needed to talk to somebody."

As reported earlier this year by Outside the Lines, Lozano told Waco police about the alleged incidents in April 2014. Chafin was allowed to suit up for the Bears in 2014 and 2015, where he combined for 966 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Chafin told Schad he was never interviewed by Waco police.

Chafin said a specific, personal event affecting he and Lozano's relationship led to a dramatic conversation that preceded the altercation.

"I was never interviewed by Waco Police," Chafin said. "She would not leave my house. I honestly don't know what bruising I caused. But there were no criminal charges for a reason."

Chafin claims Lozano e-mailed Lebby for help getting a job in 2015 and that she has repeatedly continued to contact her. Chafin says Lozano is motivated by "her desire to be in the spotlight - a part of the story. And, maybe to get back at me for ignoring her at times."

Chafin never faced a student judiciary hearing either, according to Lozano, who plans to file a Title IX lawsuit against the university.

Chafin was suspended for spring practice, but only after a March arrest for marijuana possession. The school confirmed his dismissal from the program last week. Chafin told Schad he believed his dismissal stemmed from these allegations, not the marijuana arrest.