Georgia WR Colbie Young reaches plea deal in assault case

Colbie Young scores on a touchdown catch during a game between Tennessee Tech and University of Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Sept. 7, 2024, in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Perry McIntyre/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

University of Georgia wide receiver Colbie Young has reached a plea deal with prosecutors over his assault case involving his pregnant ex-girlfriend.

As part of the deal, Young will be put on a year of probation, but will not serve any time in prison.

Colbie Young arrest and plea deal

The backstory:

Young, a senior from Binghamton, New York, was arrested in October by Athens-Clarke County police after an altercation with a 20-year-old woman who claimed to be his ex-girlfriend. He faced two charges of battery and one charge of assault on an unborn child.

According to the arrest report, officers allege Young grabbed his ex-girlfriend and "squeezed her torso and abdomen very hard" when she tried to leave his apartment after an argument.

The woman told police that she believed Young "was trying to harm her." The responding officer said he saw a bruise and discoloration on the right side of the woman's chest as well as redness on her right flank. The officer took the woman to the hospital for medical attention.

When asked, Young reportedly told the officer that an argument between him and the woman "got heated, and he escorted her to the door," but denied grabbing her.

Colbie Young (Clarke County Jail)

A month later, the woman involved asked officials to drop the wide receiver's criminal charges, signing an affidavit where she retracted her previous statements.

"Colbie did not place his hands on me in any way during the conversation and argument that was inappropriate or unwanted. He did not hit me. He did not push me. He did not cause any bruising or marks on me. He did not injure me in any way. To be clear, Colbie Young did not commit any act of violence toward me or my unborn child, including but not limited to simple battery, battery, or assault on an unborn child," the affidavit read.

What we know:

Kim Stephens, Young's attorney, told the Athens Banner-Herald that his client has pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct and that the other charges had been dismissed.

According to Stephens, Young received 12 months of probation, a $500 fine, and will be required to attend a family violence intervention program.

Young's trial had been scheduled to begin in June.

What they're saying:

"I think it should have been dismissed, but I don't think they were being unreasonable at all," Stephens told ESPN. I think in the whole scheme of things, a disorderly conduct charge and a resolution that allows us to enter a no-contest plea and restrict and seal the record because it's a first-offender plea allows Colbie to move on with the rest of his life. That's certainly a good result."

What's next:

Young has been suspended from the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team since his arrest.

It is unclear if Young will be cleared to play for the team after his plea deal.

The Source: Information for this story was taken from interviews in the Athens Banner-Herald and ESPN with attorney Kim Stephens. Additional information was provided by previous FOX 5 reporting.  

Athens-Clarke CountyGeorgia BulldogsCrime and Public SafetyNews