Exotic Dancer Accuses Eagles Player Nelson Agholor of Rape
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor. | Photo by Jeff Fusco
This is a developing story and will be updated accordingly.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor has been accused of raping a dancer at Cheerleaders Gentlemen’s Club, law enforcement sources have told Philadelphia magazine.
A 27-year-old dancer told police that she was raped inside the club, which is located on Front Street near Oregon Avenue in South Philadelphia, about 3 p.m. on Thursday.
Two other Eagles — defensive end Connor Barwin and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox — visited Cheerleaders with Agholor, the sources said. The club is just a few minutes away from the team’s NovaCare complex, where they wrapped up their last spring practice early Thursday afternoon.
“There was an allegation made against one of the [Eagles] players of a sexual assault that was reported by one of the female dancers,” said Police Commissioner Richard Ross. “Our Special Victims Unit is actively running on the investigation.”
Agholor has not been charged with any crime.
Prominent Philadelphia defense attorney Forunato “Fred” Perri Jr., who is representing Agholor, rebuffed the accusation that the Eagles player allegedly sexually assaulted a dancer at Cheerleaders.
“Nelson has not engaged in any criminal conduct,” Perri wrote in an email. “We’re confident that he will not be charged with a crime.”
Ross said detectives are trying to track down video footage from the club. Ross said the Police Department has been in contact with Eagles officials. Agholor is expected to be interviewed by investigators some time soon.
“We are aware of the police investigation involving Nelson Agholor,” said Derek Boyko, a spokesman for the Eagles. “The organization has been in contact with Nelson and with the proper authorities in Philadelphia. Because of the legal nature of this matter, we will have no further comment.”
Kevin Raphael, an attorney representing the club, said “Cheerleaders is aware of the allegation and the police investigation and is cooperating fully with law enforcement.”
Barwin released a statement Friday evening:
“As a result of my name being mentioned in conjunction with this alleged incident, I would like to clarify that I was only present at the establishment for a very short period of time and have no knowledge about anything that happened after I left the establishment. I stopped by there for about a half hour to meet my teammates, and left at around 2:30 pm.”
Cox also released a statement:
“Although I was at the establishment with my teammates on Thursday, I want to make it clear I had no involvement in the alleged incident.”
Agholor, 23, was born in Nigeria, and moved to the U.S. when he was 5 years old. He was drafted 20th overall by the Eagles in 2015.
Additional reporting by Jared Brey, Tim McManus and Dan McQuade.
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