Former Illini football player accused of sexually assaulting foster child
Feb. 13—URBANA — A former Illini football player who was on the short list for the sport's 2022 collegiate man of the year award has been charged with sexually assaulting his foster child.
Champaign County Judge Brett Olmstead arraigned Tailon R. Leitzsey, 25, this week on two counts of criminal sexual assault of a person between the ages of 13 and 17.
Olmstead also ruled that Leitzsey may await his trial outside of jail on the conditions that he have no contact with the minor, have no contact with any unsupervised minor not related by blood and comply with supervision from the Office of Pretrial Services.
Assistant State's Attorney Troy Lozar said Leitzsey became the foster parent of a 12-year-old girl in January 2023, and allegedly sexually assaulted the girl multiple times between August and September, when she was 13.
Leitzsey asked that the girl be removed as his ward in October, and she was placed under the care of a new foster guardian, Lozar said. The girl then disclosed the alleged inappropriate contact.
In a recorded interview conducted at the Champaign County Children's Advocacy Center, the girl gave a detailed description of the physical events and the history of interactions between herself and Leitzsey, Lozar said.
Leitzsey's attorney, Jeff Cisco, said his client disputes the allegations. Cisco noted that a Champaign police report indicates that the girl at first named a different person as being responsible for abusing her before she later named Leitzsey.
Cisco said his client has fully cooperated with police and that Leitzsey made sure he was not in the girl's presence after he learned of her allegations. Cisco said his client looks forward to having his name cleared.
A Laurel, Md., native, Leitzey made the Illinois football roster in 2018 as a walk-on defensive back. Two seasons later, the Missouri Baptist University transfer was awarded a scholarship by Illini coach Bret Bielema and went on to play in 20 games his final two seasons, mostly on special teams.
But it was his unique off-the-field story that made bigger headlines: He spoke openly about sleeping in his car, sometimes parked in a lot across from Memorial Stadium, for eight nights prior to walk-on tryouts.
Later, he put on a free football camp for local youth, saying he was motivated to help after seeing a rise in the local crime rate.
Leitzey was nominated for the Wuerffel Award, which goes to "college football's most impactful leaders in community service," and was one of 20 semifinalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, given annually to a player who exhibits "exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field."
Leitzey faces four to 15 years in prison on each of the criminal sexual assault charges. He is next scheduled to appear in court in March.
