Twenty-two-year-old Martez James was arrested Saturday morning.
James has been the starting quarterback all season for the Kentucky State Thorobreds. They were in Chicago to play in the annual "Chicago Classic" college game at Soldier Field, a scholarship fundraising event this year focused on curbing violence.
But, in an embarrassing pre-game encounter, the Kentucky State quarterback was arrested after police say he went after a maid at the team hotel.
When Mayor Rahm Emanuel did the ceremonial coin flip just before kickoff on Saturday afternoon, almost no one at Soldier Field knew what had happened just a few hours earlier at the Kentucky State team hotel.
Quarterback Martez James, a blue chip, 220-pound senior from Detroit, had been arrested by Chicago police after a 911 call from the Hyatt McCormick Place where the Thorobreds players and staff were staying.
Chicago police say, about 10 a.m., James past a hotel housekeeper in the hallway on the sixth floor, and asked, "Can I have five minutes of your time?" The "victim ignored offender," according to investigators, and "proceded (sic) to room 605." Then the "offender entered room 605," she told police.
According to the police report obtained by the I-Team, James repeated the question, "Can I have five minutes of your time?" Sex crimes detectives say he then "approached her from rear and pressed the front of his body against the back of her body."
James was charged with battery for allegedly making physical contact with a victim.
At the Hyatt McCormick Place, the team's athletic director and football coach were both present during the arrest. James did not play in the game at Soldier Field, but at this point officials at the Frankfort, Kentucky, campus say he is not facing any discipline from the team or the university.
A Kentucky State spokesman gave this statement late Monday: "The university is aware of allegations made against Mr. Martez James and is currently investigating the matter. We have no further comments at this time as the investigation is pending. Mr. James remains a member of Kentucky State University's football team."
The I-Team has not been able to reach Martez James for comment and it is unclear when he will have to appear in Cook County court on the misdemeanor battery charge.
A Hyatt McCormick Place executive says the safety and security of their employees is their highest priority and that they are cooperating fully with authorities.
Kentucky State lost to Albany State 17-14.
