Senior building sciences major, Robert B. Simpkins, junior criminial justice major, Travis W. Dowda, and junior management major, Jeffrey A. Logan were all charged with felony first degree burglary, felony assault inflicting serious bodily injury, injury to real property and injury to personal property, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Len Hagaman said WCSO officers attempted to arrest Logan at his 11 a.m. class Thursday and also at his residence on Yosef Drive. Additionally, the officers attempted to arrest Dowda and Simpkins at their afternoon class Thursday.

The three voluntarily turned themselves in later at approximately 3 p.m. and were taken before the Watauga County Magistrate where they were given a $25,000 bond.

Hagaman said that they were released that same day after posting bond.

Simpkins and Dowda were both members of the Appalachian football team during the 2008 football season.

Dowda posted three interceptions, 30 tackles and four tackles for loss as a safety. After joining the team as a red shirt his freshman season, Dowda has played with the team since 2005.

Simpkins has been with the team since 2004, also as a redshirt freshman. He recorded 16 tackles during the 2008 season over the course of 13 games.

A district court date has been set for April 1.

“Travis Dowda is suspended from the team pending the outcome of the case,” Assistant Athletics Director of Sports Information, Mike Flynn, said about the case.

Flynn said the decision was a collective one reached by Athletics Director Charlie Cobb and head football coach Jerry Moore.

If Dowda is ultimately cleared of the charges against him, he will be able to resume participation in football-related activities.

Flynn would not comment on Simpkins, as he is preparing to graduate and is no longer considered a member of the football team.

Flynn deferred all other comments to the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office.

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