Former Penn State Football Players Jameial Lyons and Kaveion Keys Face Serious Rape Charges

Two former Penn State football players, Jameial Lyons and Kaveion Keys, are facing severe charges following an alleged rape incident on July 7th inside a dorm building on Penn State’s campus. Lyons, a 19-year-old former defensive end, has been charged with rape, aggravated assault without consent, voluntary deviate sexual intercourse, and aggravated individual assault without consent. He also faces misdemeanor charges of indecent assault without consent and invasion of privacy without consent.

Keys, also 19 and a former linebacker, is charged with felony rape, aggravated indecent assault without consent, and sexual assault, along with a misdemeanor charge of indecent assault without consent. Both players were initially placed on “interim suspension” in the summer and were eventually removed from the team.

The alleged incident involved a 17-year-old female student who reported that she was provided with alcohol by Keys and Lyons at an off-campus apartment. According to the police affidavit, the victim was touched without consent, forced to perform oral sex, and raped by the players. She also reported being physically restrained and choked during the incident.

Penn State University Police served a search warrant at the apartment on July 8 and interviewed both Lyons and Keys. Initially, Keys denied any involvement, while Lyons claimed the contact was consensual but acknowledged the victim might report the incident to the police. A short video documenting indecent contact with the victim was found on Keys’ cell phone.

Both players were released on bond; Lyons on $500,000 and Keys on $400,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 30. Penn State coach James Franklin refused to comment on the charges during a media session, walking away from the microphone and allowing a university spokesperson to read a prepared statement.

Penn State released a statement emphasizing that the safety of their community is their top priority and that they take any report of sexual assault or misconduct very seriously. Both players are no longer enrolled at the university.