Former NC State Official Indicted on Sexual Battery Charges
Robert M. Murphy Jr. was arrested in Florida following a grand jury indictment in North Carolina.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Sex Crimes
Authorities arrested former NC State sports medicine director Robert M. Murphy Jr. in Marion County, Florida, on fugitive warrants. A Wake County grand jury previously indicted him on 32 criminal charges involving 14 victims.
Why it matters
The indictment follows a multiyear investigation into allegations of sexual battery and sexual contact under the guise of medical treatment occurring at NC State. The case marks a significant legal development after a related civil lawsuit involving former athletes was dismissed.
A Wake County grand jury indicted Murphy on nine felony counts of sexual contact under pretext of medical treatment and 23 misdemeanor counts of sexual battery. These charges stem from allegations involving 14 victims between October 2016 and fall 2021.
The players
Robert M. Murphy Jr.
He served as the director of sports medicine at NC State University for a decade.
NC State University
This public research university in Raleigh is the site where the alleged criminal misconduct occurred.
Wake County
This North Carolina county serves as the jurisdiction for the criminal indictment and legal proceedings.
The details
The indictment concluded a multiyear investigation that included interviews with 14 victims who reported abuse during Murphy's tenure at the university. While a federal civil lawsuit involving 31 athletes was dismissed in June 2026, attorneys for the plaintiffs have since filed an appeal.
Timeline
Murphy served as NC State's director of sports medicine from 2012 to 2022.
The alleged criminal acts occurred between October 2016 and fall 2021.
A Wake County grand jury indicted Murphy on September 14, 2026.
Authorities arrested Murphy in Florida on September 23, 2026.
A judge dismissed the related civil lawsuit in June 2026.
Legal Context
This indictment highlights a shift in legal momentum following the June 2026 dismissal of a federal civil lawsuit involving 31 athletes. The criminal proceedings now run parallel to an ongoing appeal filed by attorneys for the plaintiffs.
The arrest brings renewed attention to safety protocols within university athletic departments and the investigative processes used to handle student allegations. Residents and the public can track the progress of the case through upcoming proceedings in Wake County Superior Court.
The takeaway
The move from civil litigation to a formal criminal indictment underscores the gravity of the allegations presented by former athletes. Future updates will focus on the court schedules in North Carolina and the outcome of the pending civil appeal.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings regarding these types of cases, visit the Sex Crimes section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The North State Journal.
