Former NBA player and actor sentenced to 90 years behind bars for multiple violent sexual assaults

A former NBA player has been sentenced to 90 years behind bars for a series of sexual assaults — some of which took place in Los Angeles County, according to KTLA. Rashid Byrd was put under investigation in 2019 by the LAPD after a woman came forward to report that she had been sexually assaulted.

The LAPD released a statement on X, writing: “During their investigation, detectives learned [that] in 2010, Byrd was convicted of sexual assault involving a different victim."

“Detectives also discovered that Byrd had been arrested for sexually assaulting a young woman in Washington State in 2005.”

The victims in the case said Byrd initially came off as "charming" before he soon forced them to do various sex acts without their consent. Detective Dara Brown, who was the lead investigator in the case, said Byrd "started as a charmer, playing up his status as an athlete and pseudo-celebrity, but that quickly faded into rapes and violence."

Byrd went undrafted in the 2003 NBA Draft and acted in "Semi-Pro" and "Bring Your 'A' Game." He was arrested in 2020 by the LAPD for sexual assault, and his bail was set at $4.15 million. He remained in custody until his arrest, according to the Daily Mail.

The 42-year-old was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to 90 years behind bars for violent sexual assaults that took place in California. He was found guilty of sexually assaulting three different women, one of which happened in 2010. The LAPD went on to note that "[d]etectives also discovered that Byrd had been arrested for sexually assaulting a young woman in Washington state in 2005."

The former basketball player, who is over seven feet tall, tried to break into the acting business as he worked on his basketball career. And he used the drama skills he'd learned in acting to swoon his victims.

The Daily Mail reported that Byrd previously had signed contracts with the Lakers and the Sacramento Kings despite "never being involved in an NBA game in his life." He made several appearances in the D-League, now known as the G-League.

“The Los Angeles Police Department is grateful for the brave women who came forward to tell their stories,” Brown said. “While this investigation has gone on for years, we are thankful that Byrd is no longer on the streets.”

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