A former NBA player and actor was given 90 years to life in jail on Friday for a series of violent sexual assaults.
In 2019, the Los Angeles Police Department initiated an investigation into Rashid Byrd following a report from a victim who had experienced sexual assault.
Byrd showcased his skills in 22 games with the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League during the 2008-09 season. Additionally, he made a memorable appearance in the basketball comedy film “Semi Pro” starring Will Ferrell, portraying a player from the fictional American Basketball Association team, the Flint Tropics. Byrd’s passion for the game was further highlighted in the documentary short “Bring Your ‘A’ Game.”
Byrd, who is 7’1″, initially charmed his victims before becoming aggressive.
“He started out as a charmer, playing up his status as an athlete and pseudo-celebrity, but that quickly faded into rapes and violence,” said Detective Dara Brown, the case’s primary investigator.
In the 2008–09 NBA Development League season, Byrd appeared in 22 games with the Los Angeles D-Fenders. He also starred in Semi Pro (2008), a basketball comedy starring Will Ferrell, as a member of the Flint Tropics, a fake American Basketball Association team. He also appeared in a documentary short titled Bring Your ‘A’ Game.
LAPD investigators arrested him in September 2020 on suspicion of sexual assault.
The 39-year-old was sentenced to 90 years to life in state prison for serious sexual assaults committed in Los Angeles and Santa Clara counties.
“The Los Angeles Police Department is grateful for the brave women who came forward to tell their stories,” Detective Brown said in a statement. “While this investigation has gone on for years, we are thankful that Byrd is no longer on the streets.”
Detective Brown stated that efforts were made to locate all of Byrd’s victims and that anyone with additional information on his crimes should contact her at 213-486-6840 or by email at [email protected].
