Courier

Media Credit: Daniel Lottes Darryl Stephens at summer football practice

A registered sex offender and member of PCC's football team, was arrested Sept. 2, the first day of school, on an assault charge after a fight with a female friend.

Darryl Stephens (also known as "slurp" to friends and teammates) has been on parole since April 4, 2005, for a charge of "assault to commit a specific sex crime," according to the California Department of Corrections. He was also wearing a GPS high-risk sex offender bracelet on his left ankle and was listed as a restrained person per a domestic violence order, according to the arrest report.

Stephens is now being held at Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic.

The fight broke out when Morgan Sheppard, Stephens' girlfriend, struck Stephens in the head after he would not answer her phone calls. Stephens then restrained Sheppard in a 'headlock' and struck her three times in the head, according to the PCC Police Department report.

Both were arrested on assault charges, and Sheppard was released later with a citation to appear in court. Stephens, because of his parole status, was detained and sent to his parole agent for holding.

According to PCC Lt. Brad Young, Stephens already was in violation of his parole before the altercation, and an order to arrest him was already issued.

After Stephens was sent to his parole officer, he was then sent to Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles and was later transferred to Pitchless, where he remains awaiting a hearing.

According to Pasadena Chief Prosecutor Connie Orozco, Stephens may be in the system for an extended period of time.

"The county facilities are holding tanks," Orozco said. "The state pays the county to hold the [suspect] and they have 60 days to schedule a hearing."

According to the Department of Corrections Public Information Officer, Roy Chaney, Stephens has a few options.

"He will be going in front of the parole board and might be given an offer [to settle], or may chose to go to trial," Chaney said.

Chaney stressed that the alleged parole violation and assault were separate cases.

Police notified PCC Football Head Coach Kenny Lawler of the incident later that day. Even though the case has not been settled, Lawler says Stephens is no longer a member of the team.

"[His situation] is bigger than football," Lawler said. "We have had correspondence with him and he has wished us luck, but he is not with the team."

Lawler knew about Stephens' previous problems, but supported him.

"He was a student athlete trying to rebuild and rehabilitate his life and football was a part of that," Lawler said. "He had been a model citizen since he'd been here."

Interim Dean and Athletic Director Beverly Tate, as well as Assistant Athletic Director Mike Jones did not respond to multiple calls and messages from Courier reporters.

Additional reporting by Allan Santiago and Rodrigo Mejia.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools