Ex-N.C. State Sports Trainer Arrested in Florida Over Sexual Abuse Allegations

Ex-N.C. State trainer Robert Murphy arrested in Florida over sexual abuse claims. 14 victims, 32 charges, and ongoing legal battle.

Editorial Desk

September 25, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Raleigh, United States — A former sports medicine director at North Carolina State University has been taken into custody in Florida on multiple criminal charges, including sexual battery and felony sexual contact, following allegations of misconduct against male athletes.

Robert M. Murphy Jr., who served as N.C. State’s director of sports medicine from 2012 to 2022, was arrested Wednesday night and is currently held in the Marion County jail under out-of-state warrants from North Carolina. The charges stem from a multiyear investigation that led to a Wake County grand jury indicting him on nine felony counts and 23 misdemeanor counts related to alleged misconduct with 14 victims.

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Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman confirmed the indictment, stating it involved 14 individuals who came forward during the probe. The case originated from a single athlete’s federal lawsuit four years ago, which detailed improper conduct such as genital touching during massages and intrusive urine sample observations. The number of plaintiffs later grew to 31 before a judge dismissed the lawsuit in June, citing procedural issues, though the case remains under appeal.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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