MATTHEWS, N.C.,None — A Butler High School football player faces charges of felony second-degree rape charge and sexual battery, according to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office.
Osvaldo Sombo, 17, was arrested on Aug. 11, a little more than a week before Butler's season-opening win against Mount Tabor on Aug. 20, in which Sombo played.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools leaders first said they would not have allowed Sombo to play in the game had they known beforehand of his arrest.
"It's concerning because if we had known it, we would have taken immediate action and the coach would have, as well," Hugh Hattabaugh, CMS Chief Operating Officer, said.
Hattabaugh went on to say that Sombo was removed from the football team and reassigned to a CMS alternative school. However, that didn't happen until Aug. 25.
While CMS leaders said they acted immediately upon becoming aware of Sombo's arrest, Channel 9 has learned that the district was notified by letter almost a week before the game.
The school system received a letter from the court system, as required by state law, a full week before Butler's opening game.
CMS officials said they are unsure when the letter was opened, but acknowledged that employees should have reached out sooner to notify Butler High.
The fact that they didn't is a concern for School Board Chairman Eric Davis.
"Certainly, it would be much better for all of our students if we were notified in a timely fashion in situations like this," Davis said.
CMS said there's nothing in the letters they get about arrested students that says whether they're on sports teams. Officials now say they're looking at how to get information more quickly to principals, who can provide information about students' affiliations.
Sombo hasn't been officially kicked off the Butler football team, but can't play because of his reassignment to the alternative school. There, an assessment will be made about where he will go next.
This news comes a few weeks after Butler standout quarterback Christian LeMay decided to forgo his senior season after being suspended for an undisclosed school infraction.
LeMay will complete graduation requirements "in a private setting," according to LeMay's father, and will work out with private coaches and trainers to get ready for his freshman year at Georgia, where he has committed to play next season.
The Butler Bulldogs completed an undefeated season (15-0) last year and recorded their first 4AA state championship in school history.
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