(EAGLE, CO) — Bryant was charged with one count of sexual assault, a class three felony. If convicted, Bryant could serve four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation, Hurlbert said.
Bryant’s attorney, Pamela Mackey, planned to hold a news briefing in Los Angeles, California, after Hurlbert’s news conference, her office said. It is not known if Bryant will attend.
A 19-year-old woman alleges she was a victim of sexual misconduct by Bryant on June 30 at the Lodge and Spa at Cordillera in Edwards, just west of the Vail ski resort. A hotel employee, the woman filed a police complaint the following day.
No details of the victim’s allegations have been made public, and a judge has sealed information in the case.
The 24-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star has told the Los Angeles Times, “I would never do anything like that.”
Hotel manager Paul Pastoor said Bryant stayed at the hotel from June 30 to July 2.
Eagle County Sheriff Joseph Hoy issued an arrest warrant, and Bryant — who is married and the father of a daughter born in January — returned to Colorado from Los Angeles to surrender on July 4. He was released on $25,000 bond.
Hurlbert, who was consulted on the decision to issue an arrest warrant but reportedly disagreed on the timing, has three options: to file a formal charge against Bryant, to file no charge or to ask a grand jury to conduct an inquiry.
He has held back on any announcement while completing an investigation and awaiting test results from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
A hearing was held Thursday on a newspaper request to release police dispatch records of two calls to the victim’s home in the past year responding to noncriminal actions. The hearing lasted about 90 minutes, but no decision is expected from the judge before July 25.
The alleged victim is a former high school cheerleader who friends describe as honest and ambitious, even auditioning for American Idol last year.
Micah Bernhardt, is one of her friends.
“She was real good on select choir, sang in graduation, she sang in a lot of football games, a lot of basketball games, doing the national anthems,” Bernhardt said.
If charges are filed, Bryant’s next court date would be August 6, Hurlbert has indicated.
Bryant’s image as a role model has fueled his popularity with fans, and fellow players have rallied to his defense.
The 6-foot-6 guard was a member of the Lakers team that won three-straight NBA championships in the 2000-2002 seasons. He was named most valuable player in the NBA All-Star game in the 2002 season.
Bryant turned pro out of high school seven years ago. He was a first-round draft pick by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996 and later that year was traded to the Lakers, where he has played ever since.
Correspondents Gary Tuchman and Brian Cabell contributed to this report.