Arrest Details and Charges
Ephraim Asiata, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound redshirt sophomore from West Valley City, was arrested in July on charges of driving under the influence, using a fake California driver's license, and possessing alcohol and THC as a minor. The incident occurred on July 2 when a sheriff's deputy noticed Asiata's car blocking a sidewalk as he entered traffic from a parking lot.
According to the probable cause statement, Asiata was arrested at 12:37 a.m. that day and booked into the Utah County Jail by 2:02 a.m. He was released later that afternoon with a $2,500 bond. Additional charges included driving without a valid license, failing to maintain a single lane, and consuming a controlled substance, which in this case involved alcohol and marijuana.
A representative from BYU's athletics department said the university is aware of the situation and is currently reviewing it. The incident comes as the football team prepares for the start of its 2026 training camp, scheduled for next Wednesday. Asiata joined the team in 2024 and appeared in 11 games last season, primarily as a backup linebacker and on special teams.
In December 2022, when he was 15, Asiata was critically injured and remained hospitalized for weeks after a shooting near the Hunter High campus in West Valley City. The incident resulted in the deaths of two of his classmates.
Last season, while dealing with various injuries, Asiata participated in four regular-season games and recorded two tackles. Records confirm that he has never obtained a Utah driver's license.
During the traffic stop, Asiata provided a false name and a counterfeit California driver's license to the deputy. A portable breath test showed the presence of alcohol in his system, and he proceeded with a field sobriety test before being taken into custody. A preliminary urine test also showed positive results for alcohol and THC, with blood test results still pending.