Deshawndre Washington’s agent says Interpol took his passport and he can’t return to face trial
The former NMSU basketball player is facing sexual assault charges stemming from hazing during the 2022-2023 season
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
Deshawndre Washington, who is facing 15 felony charges stemming from alleged hazing and sexual assaults during the 2022-2023 season, has not returned to the United States after missing his trial date on August 3 in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
On the same day his trial was scheduled to begin, Washington was reportedly playing in a championship basketball game in Beirut, Lebanon. Weeks later, he remains abroad.
Washington’s agent, Kerry Carter, explained the situation on Friday.
“Mr. Washington is not back in the United States because he doesn’t have his passport,” Carter said.
Carter stated that Interpol confiscated Washington’s passport upon his arrival in Lebanon due to the outstanding arrest warrant.
“He’s not running from his charges. It was never the Washington intent to miss his trial date. Mr. Washington is not here for the fact that he hadn’t had his passport,” Carter said.
KOAT legal expert John Day shared his perspective on the situation.
“I’d expect that the fact that if his agent is accurate in saying his passport was yanked, I think that means that there’s an extradition in progress,” Day said.
Carter suggested that lifting the arrest warrant could expedite Washington’s return to the United States.
“If you lift the warrant, he can be back in 48 hours, 72 hours. And it saves a lot of money and a lot of time,” Carter said.
