Two Franklin Pierce University student-athletes have been indicted after allegedly forcing their way into a campus dorm room and assaulting two students during an attempted robbery back in February.
Trent Dixon, 18, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and Devonte McCall, 20, of Belchertown, Massachusetts, were each indicted on a felony count of robbery and burglary at the Cheshire Superior Court on April 23. Dixon and McCall have also been charged with misdemeanor level simple assault, according to court records.
A third person – Oumaru Kante, 21, of Manchester – is facing the same three charges for his role in the incident. Kante is not a student at the university, according to affidavits provided by the Rindge Police Department, but is a “known gang member” affiliated with the Red Couch Gang, a local gang in Manchester.
McCall and Dixon played for the mens’ basketball team this past season, according to the university’s website. Each has a player profile and game statistics listed for the 2017-18 season on the university’s website but neither is currently listed on the team’s 2017-18 roster.
University Athletic Director Rachel Burleson would not confirm or deny their status on the team when reached for comment Tuesday. Voicemails left for Head Coach David Chadbourne were not returned by press time.
Kante was a basketball star in Manchester in his younger days, playing for Manchester Memorial and later Manchester Central.
Rindge police were dispatched to Franklin Pierce University around 10 p.m. on Feb. 12, according to affidavits, for a reported assault.
The two victims reported that they were playing video games, when they heard a knock at the door around 9:35 p.m.
One of the victims said he answered the door on a subsequent knock and did not see anyone outside the door. Then, victims say three black males wearing ski masks appeared suddenly and pushed the door open.
One of the attackers grabbed a student by the shirt collar, according to the report, while a second helped push him onto the bed. The second victim tried to fight back but was attacked by the third attacker.
The victims said all three men were shouting that they were going to steal their stuff. The three suspects left the room after one of the victims started yelling for help, according to the affidavit, leaving out of the fire escape door, causing an audible alarm to go off.
Rindge Police Sergeant Jeffrey Seppala said Wednesday afternoon that nothing was stolen from the dorm room, and that the two victims sustained abrasions and other “very minor injuries.”
Police later identified McCall, Dixon, and Kante with the help of video surveillance and witness interviews.
Dixon was arrested at basketball practice on Feb. 13, while McCall was arrested on campus on Feb. 15, according to Seppala. Kante was arrested by the Manchester police gang prevention unit on Feb. 25.
Franklin Pierce University’s Communications Director Matthew Barone said Monday morning that the university would not be releasing information about the enrollment status of either student.
“Privacy is a big issue… I can’t elaborate more on the individuals,” said Barone, who added that the university is conducting a “very thorough” internal investigation, which is still ongoing.
McCall was given a full athletic scholarship to play for Franklin Pierce University, according to a report from the Daily Hampshire Gazette. Barone would not confirm any information about the scholarship.
McCall played in 22 games for the Ravens last year and averaged five points, 3.5 rebounds, and .8 assists over an average of 12 minutes per game in his freshman season.
McCall spent a post-graduate year at the Westminster School in Simsbury, Connecticut prior to coming to FPU. He previously played for Amherst Regional High School in Massachusetts, where he was a two-time All-Western Mass and all-state selection in his junior and senior year.
In his senior year, he led his team in points, assists, rebounds, steals and blocks. He also led the team to sectional finals two times.
McCall missed the last two games of Franklin Pierce’s season, according to the university’s website, last playing on Feb. 14.
Dixon played in 15 games as a freshman for Franklin Pierce University this past season, starting one. He averaged 1.4 points, .6 rebounds, and .8 assists over an average of seven minutes per game.
Dixon last played for FPU on Feb. 10 and missed the final three games of the season.
Dixon played at Central High School in Capitol Heights, Maryland, where he was the team’s top scorer, according to information on the university’s website. Dixon was on the honor roll and earned the perfect attendance award.
Dixon and McCall have each posted $10,000 cash bail, according to court records, but Kante has yet to post his $10,000 cash bail.
Dixon and McCall are next scheduled to appear in court on May 11 for a dispositional conference, while Kante is scheduled to appear on May 18 for the same.