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Former USF Player Speaks Up For Sexual Battery Suspect

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 9, 2008

TAMPA -- Former University of South Florida basketball legend Charlie Bradley, who said he has served as a father figure for Branden Allen for most of the teenager's life, said it's hard to believe Allen would be capable of committing sexual battery.

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office investigators arrested Allen, 18, on Thursday. He was charged with sexual battery and false imprisonment.

Allen is accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl Tuesday evening as two fellow Dixie Hollins High School football players served as lookouts, reports said.

"I know he's not that type of person, I can tell you that," Bradley said. "I have two girls of my own — ages 7 and 15 — and I would trust him around them."

Earlier Friday, a lawyer for Allen said Bradley was the child's father. Bradley said that's not correct but that he has known Allen since the boy was 7 months old and always has tried to be the dad that Allen didn't have.

"I just tried to be that role model for him," Bradley said. "Any time he needed to talk to me, he could."
Bradley, the all-time leading scorer in USF men's basketball history, described Allen as an outgoing child with a lot of energy.

"I think he's a good kid," Bradley said. "I'm not with him 24 hours like I am with my own kids, but from what I've heard and seen from him, it's always been good things."

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691.

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