Birmingham Young University (BYU) receiver Parker Kingston, 21, has been arrested and is facing a first‑degree felony rape charge, according to a Wednesday news release from the Washington County, Utah, Attorney’s Office cited in multiple media reports.
Newsweek contacted the Washington County Attorney’s Office and BYU via email early on Thursday morning, outside of regular working hours. Newsweek also attempted to contact Kingston via social media.
What Are the Allegations Against Parker Kingston?
According to the attorney’s office’s release, as cited by ESPN, the charge follows an investigation that lasted nearly a year after a 20‑year‑old woman reported a sexual assault to law enforcement at St. George Regional Hospital. The release states that the woman told officers Kingston assaulted her on February 23, 2025, ESPN said.
The attorney’s office said, according to Reuters, “Detectives with the St. George Police Department then gathered digital and forensic evidence. They also conducted interviews with the parties involved and other witnesses. The information was then turned over to the Washington County Attorney’s Office for review.”
As reported by ESPN on Wednesday, Kingston was held in Washington County without bail and has a court appearance set for Friday in Utah’s Fifth Judicial District Court.
Who Is Parker Kingston?
As a junior last season, Kingston led the Cougars with 66 receptions and 924 receiving yards, and scored five touchdown catches, along with three rushing scores. His top performance came on October 25 at Iowa State, when he recorded seven receptions for 133 yards and two touchdowns, according to Reuters. Over three seasons at BYU, the 21‑year‑old from Layton, Utah, has totaled 98 catches, 1,327 yards and seven touchdown receptions, the outlet noted.
As noted by Deseret News, Kingston has addressed his faith in past comments.
After watching his brother go through the temple while preparing for a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints, Kingston “felt inspired” to participate in the ordinance himself, it said.
“Once I went through the temple, I was like, ‘Yeah, this is what all, everything I did this year—scoring touchdowns, catching passes—that was the best moment of my 2025 right there,’” he said, per the outlet.
Has BYU Said Anything About Parker Kingston?
“BYU became aware today of the arrest of Parker Kingston. The university takes any allegation very seriously, and will cooperate with law enforcement. Due to federal and university privacy laws and practices for students, the university will not be able to provide additional comment,” the university said in a statement, per Reuters and ESPN.
