LSU DB Suspended After Alleged Illegal Video Sex Incident

© Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The LSU Tigers defense suffered a setback when elite defensive back Javien Toviano was arrested on charges of alleged video voyeurism. Toviano, who saw action in every one of the Bayou Bengals' games last year, turned himself into the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office after the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of the LSU DB.

The Allegations

According to the arrest warrant, Toviano allegedly made a video recording of himself engaging in sexual relations with a woman who did not consent to being videotaped. Nola.com and WAFB Channel 9 in Baton Rouge, La., reported the accuser allegedly found the recording on Toviano's iPad and the recording was made by "a clock with a built-in camera placed near the bed." Furthermore, the accuser told police that Toviano had previously recorded the two of them having sex and that she told him she did not wish to be recorded.

Per the arrest warrant, Toviano admitted to police that he used a concealed camera to capture the sexual encounters.

Section 14:283 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes prohibits video voyeurism. The offense is classified as a felony, punishable by up to two years in prison.

LSU's Response: Suspension

In the aftermath of the arrest, LSU released the following statement: "The student-athlete has been suspended from all team activities, in accordance with departmental policies. We will not have further comment out of respect for the legal process."

Elite LSU DB

Toviano was one of the nation's top defensive backs in the 2023 recruiting cycle. A highly coveted five-star recruit, Rivals rated him the No. 3 defensive back in the 2023 class. As a true freshman, he started in three out of the Tigers' last five games. He recorded 33 tackles, 1 pass breakup and 1 fumble recovery. Toviano was expected to play a significant role on the Bayou Bengals' defense in 2024. His suspension is a significant blow for a defense looking to rebound from a disappointing overall performance in 2023, when LSU ranked only No. 108 out of the 133 FBS teams.

Ramifications

With their season set to kick off on Sept. 1 against the USC Trojans in Las Vegas, the suspension of Toviano is particularly painful as the Trojans feature one of the top wide receiver rooms in the country, headlined by a trio of talented sophomores—Zachariah Branch, Duce Robinson and Ja'Kobi Lane, along with redshirt junior Kyron Hudson.

Trojans fans have already taken note of the significance of the suspension of Toviano, urging a focus on the passing game to take advantage of LSU's setback.

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