Myron Pope (50) was a walk on member of the Crimson Tide national championship football team in 1992.
Authorities said that a University of Alabama vice president was forced to resign after he and 14 others were caught in a prostitution sting.
Members of the West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force arrested Myron Pope, 50. He was charged with a misdemeanor of soliciting prostitutes, a Tuscaloosa spokesperson Stephanie Taylor stated in a statement to NBC News. According to the school, he was vice president for student affairs at the time of his arrest.
Officials said that Pope and 14 other men had “arranged to meet up and pay for sex via an online app.”
According to the release, they were taken into custody “after meeting with an undercover officer at the agreed-upon location”
Monday’s information was not available regarding the names and ages for any of the remaining suspects. According to the task force, however, they were all charged with soliciting prostitutes. Some face additional felony charges.
Capt. Phil Simpson stated in the release. “We hope that these operations targeting buyers will show that we take this seriously. We want to stop future exploitation of victims of human trafficking who are coerced or forced into prostitution.
Pope was released following a $1,000 bond. In a statement sent to campus, Stuart R. Bell, president of the university, stated that Pope resigned on Friday.
Pope was appointed vice president for student affairs on May 4, 2020. He had previously been a walk-on player in the Crimson Tide’s 1992 national championship football squad, according to an announcement.
Bell stated that “We are aware this news will be difficult to our community.” Bell stated that he will appoint an interim vice president of student life and that person, along the many professionals in the department, will continue to be available to everyone. Keep taking care of yourself and each other.
The Pope was not reached on Monday despite repeated attempts.
