Tech football player faces abuse charge

A Ruston man and Louisiana Tech football player now officially faces a domestic abuse charge in district court after allegedly punching a woman in the face four times this summer.

The 3rd Judicial District Attorney’s office filed a bill of information Thursday charging Dedrick Latulas, 19, with one count of domestic abuse battery with child endangerment, in connection with a July 25 incident involving the mother of Latulas’ child.

A sophomore wide receiver currently starting as the Bulldogs’ punt returner, Latulas was arrested in July by Ruston police at his Tanyard Creek residence after allegedly admitting to punching the victim in response to her refusing to leave his home and throwing things at the residence.

Court records recently made public show that at a July 30 Gwen’s Law hearing, Latulas was allowed to bond out from the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on a $2,500 bond, on the conditions that he not have any abusive contact with the victim, not purchase or possess firearms, and receive anger management training.

Latulas made an appearance with the team less than two weeks later at Tech’s preseason Fan Day at Joe Aillet Stadium.

Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie said Tuesday Latulas’ status on the team has not changed in light of the charge being formalized last week.

“We’re continuing to monitor the progress (of the case),” he said. “His status on our team hasn’t changed as of today. As that process goes on, it could — depending on the outcome. And we’ve handled some things internally with him throughout the course of that situation.”

Latulas has started at punt returner each of Tech’s two games thus far this season, traveling with the team to NC State last weekend after his charge was filed in court.

According to a Ruston Police Department officer narrative filed into evidence, Latulas, originally of New Iberia, was visited by the victim, who brought their juvenile child with her from Lake Charles.

Latulas told the victim they could no longer be together and that they should co- parent the child, at which point the victim started “acting out,” he allegedly told officers at the time of his arrest.

Latulas reportedly asked the victim to leave the residence multiple times, and she refused. He told officers the victim said she’d “ make him hit her so that he’d lose everything,” according to the affidavit.

The victim eventually got into her car with the child, pulled onto the lawn of the residence, and reportedly threw something at the building from her car.

At that point, Latulas allegedly admitted he reached into the vehicle to unlock the door, entered the car and struck the victim in the face four times with his fist, giving her a bloody nose.

As of Monday, no court date had been set in Latulas’ case.

A three-star recruit out of Westgate High School, Latulas was uses sparingly on offense his freshman season. In two games of action this year, he’s returned two punts and one kick for a total of 19 yards.

Latulas is listed as the Bulldogs’ starting punt returner for their matchup against Tulsa on Saturday at Joe Aillet Stadium.