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Leach faces assault charge
by Stephanie S. Beecher, Sherrell McMillan
6 months ago | 5383 views | 9 9 comments | 24 24 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Vonta Leach, left, is known for his charity work and met President George W. Bush on Nov. 30, 2008, when he received the President s Volunteer Service Award.
Vonta Leach, left, is known for his charity work and met President George W. Bush on Nov. 30, 2008, when he received the President's Volunteer Service Award.
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LUMBERTON — Vonta Leach, a Rowland native who is an NFL football player, was charged this week with simple assault.

The person who took out the warrant on Leach was the target of a similar warrant that Leach first took out.

The alleged incident occurred in a downtown Lumberton restaurant last month.

The charge is a misdemeanor. Leach was released on a written promise.

Leach, when contacted on Thursday by phone, said he could not comment.

A police report said that Leach, 27, of the 5000 block of White Oak Drive, was involved in a fight with Reggie Allen Locklear, 28, of East Seventh Street, at Blackwater Grille at 111 W. Third St., on June 28. That night Leach was holding an all-white dress event at the bar and restaurant.

According to the report, two women began fighting inside the restaurant at about 2 a.m. When Leach attempted to usher the women out of the business, Locklear said he asked Leach "who he was talking to" and Leach hit him in the face with a beer bottle and kicked him.

According to Leach's account, he told the women to leave and Locklear assaulted him and he defended himself.

Leach took out a warrant charging Locklear with simple assault on June 28. Locklear was arrested on July 1 and has a court date for Aug. 18.

The alleged fight was one of several that were reported at the Blackwater Grille that night and included a brawl that took place outside of the restaurant after closing.

Leach is a graduate of South Robeson High School. He received a scholarship from East Carolina University and signed a free-agent contract with the Green Bay Packers in 2004.

After a stint with the New Orleans Saints in 2006, Leach found a home with the Houston Texans as their starting fullback. On March 19, 2008, Leach signed a four-year, $8 million contract with the Texans. Leach was named a Pro Bowl alternate for the 2008 season.

Each Christmas, Leach hosts the "Shop With A Jock Christmas Drive" during which he provides $100 gift certificates to Walmart for 40 to 50 needy children.

Leach is known for his charity work and met President George W. Bush on Nov. 30, 2008, when he received the President's Volunteer Service Award.
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comments (9)
« anonymous wrote on Thursday, Jul 30 at 09:43 AM »
It's a restaurant, not a club. If someone is hosting a private party, it is a reasonable expectation of the restaurant that the guests are the responsibility of the host.

The problem is not the establishment, but rather the people who go there to cause trouble. That is a reason why entrepreneurs are not lining up to do business in this county despite all of the money they could make here. For example, it's not worth it to build a nice 12 screen cineplex knowing that unless there is a large staff of security guards patrolling the grounds at all times, it will get torn apart with the quickness while people loiter and fight in the parking lot. The blame falls on the people who cause the problems.
« ConcernedinLumberton wrote on Tuesday, Jul 28 at 09:20 AM »
What about the responsibility of Black Water Grille? They should have had sufficent staff to have avoided this situation. Mr. Leach was a paying customer there. It is a long standing problem with BWG, under aged drinking, drug use, fighting have become the norm there. When will the city wake up and apply the same standards it used against other clubs,just because the Lumberton "elite" frequent there, doesn't give them carte blanc to do what they want. It is just ridiculous!!
« steelerfan wrote on Sunday, Jul 26 at 12:51 PM »
This is the result of a person making himself too accessible. Mr. Leach is a really down to earth guy, who has not let money go to his head (mistake #1). Maybe he should! Maybe he should stop going to local gyms and working out; maybe he should stop shooting ball at Bill Sapp; maybe he should no longer sweep the gym floors at halftime of a South Robeson HS basketball game; maybe he should stop helping Lumberton and South Robeson football programs, then what would the story be. I think a man's character and how he lives his life says quite a bit. Mr. Leach not only puts money back into his community, but he also puts time back into it. It would be ashame to lose any of his commnity involvement because of senselessness. Maybe he should have has security in place and let them beat Mr. Locklear up, but he did not anticipate a good time going bad (nieve), because it is not his nature. Maybe Reggie should know when to stay in his lane and be quiet. It was Mr. Leach's party, and had he chose to shut the party down that was his choice, Mr. Locklear had no say so in the matter. Mind your own business next time Mr. Locklear, and you will be okay.
« 3sides wrote on Saturday, Jul 25 at 12:33 AM »
There are always 3 sides to every story Vonta's, Reggie's and the TRUTH. The reporter did not investigate this story. Vonta did in fact file assualt charges against Reggie. Reggie (after receiving hospital care) went to the magistrate’s office to do the same and was turned around. Wonder why? He later returned the following day, and again was told that he could not file assault charges against Vonta. Wonder why? ON the third occasion Reggie was able to file "his" assault charges. Will anyone come out this situation smelling like a rose, probably not? Who was wrong? We don't know. But should a "regular" citizen be shown different typical than a "star"? Let the citizens answer that question.

And for the reporter, please do your homework. Look at the court calendar for Robeson County. Reggie was due in court for “Simple Assualt” charges bought forth by Vonta. Mr. Douglas, have your reporters interview both parties next time. Isn’t that what TRUE reporting is about?

Remember there are three sides to this story – Reggie’s, Vonta’s and the TRUTH.

« cherrypie wrote on Friday, Jul 24 at 10:00 PM »
Vonta is a wonderful PERSON my husband and I were at the event and this is definately not what happened we will be there to defend him. Vonta was very generous over a two week span in Lumberton and Rowland. This event was for for his charity and a bunch of young punks had to go and spoil things.If they wanted to fight they shoulda been somewhere else this was the ONLY THING THAT WENT WRONG THAT NIGHT. One of the little hoochy mama girls kicked a window out in the place.
« justmytwocents wrote on Friday, Jul 24 at 06:26 PM »
We must remember that there is always two sides to every story, and the good thing about the law is innocent until proven guilty. Mr. Leach has conducted himself in a respectful manner for the better part of 27 years or since he has come into public view, and that is just not his character. Just because he is a pro-football player does not mean he have to take junk from people. He is human, and if you cut him he will surely bleed, but God gave him the common sense to defend himself before that happens. I am not promoting violence, but I think Mr. Locklear will think twice before you run up on him again!!!
« whitefelisa wrote on Friday, Jul 24 at 03:45 PM »
Unsatifactory behavior........

Mr. Leech an outstanding person who's only mistake was trying to have fun,and bring some positive vibes to mayberry (lumberton). Now to live in lumberton has become a joke when has defending yourself become a crime. I'm sure Mr. locklear got what he deserved. Mr. Leech I hope that does not deter you from giving back to the community,keep up your outstanding efforts. Much love and success to you.
« robesonian wrote on Friday, Jul 24 at 01:19 PM »


Actually, it was not on the front page of The Robesonian. It was on the front page of the sports section. Also, as a newspaper, we knew about this when it happened, but ignored the story until he was charged. Additionally, you will see that we highlighted his charity work in the story, pointed out in the headline that it was a misdemeanor, and also gave Mr. Leach a chance to respond, although we understand that might not be in his best interest. We have literally had dozens of positives stories about Mr. Leach over the years. We have no idea what happened that night, but it is news and our duty to report it.

— Editor
« Telling it wrote on Friday, Jul 24 at 12:18 PM »
This is prime example what I was talking about who is displayed in the negative and pictures of who is displayed in the positive. Here is a young man who through his volunteering has become a role model to under priviledge youth and this type of stuff is posted on the front page. Could this not fit in the police blotter or not at all. I understand that he is a local athlete and this generates attention, but let it go.
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