HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- A former Marshall University running back pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to cyberstalking.
Kevin LaShawn Grooms Jr., 23, originally from Hollywood, Florida, sent threatening messages to his ex-girlfriend on March 24 and 25 of this year, shortly after he was released from the Western Regional Jail, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin's office.
Grooms, who was under a domestic violence protection order at the time, sent 158 messages via text and Instagram to his ex-girlfriend, an FBI investigation found. The messages "mocked the strength of domestic restraining orders, threatened his ex-girlfriend, and claim[ed] his no-fear readiness to die," according to the release.
Grooms, who met his ex-girlfriend at Marshall in 2012, admitted to a pattern of activity including stalking, threatening the use of a deadly weapon, harassing and assaulting his ex-girlfriend throughout their relationship, according to the release.
In July 2014, Grooms was thrown off Marshall's team after his third arrest in 15 months. He had been named Conference USA's top freshman in 2012, rushing for 737 yards, but was injured early in the 2013 season and suspended from the team in November of that year, but allowed to return for spring practice.
Grooms entered his plea Monday in front of Chief U.S. District Judge Robert C. Chambers, who is scheduled to sentence Grooms on Dec. 14. He faces a prison sentence of two years, followed by three years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000.