PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — An Oregon Ducks wide receiver from their 2024 team was arrested in Springfield earlier this week in connection with a Christmas Day pistol-whipping in California.
Ryan Tristan Chance Taylor — who played under the name Ryan Pellum — allegedly used a 9mm pistol to assault someone on December 25 in Long Beach, California. Court documents obtained by KOIN 6 News state Taylor pistol-whipped the victim in the head, causing an injury that required stitches. Taylor also allegedly fired two shots from the gun during the assault.
A nationwide arrest warrant was put out for the 19-year-old, who left Long Beach and returned to his apartment in Springfield, Oregon.
Police in Eugene became aware of the warrant and began investigating. On January 8, police went to his apartment and asked him if he knew there was a warrant for his arrest in California. Court documents showed Taylor said “people called me” about the warrant.
He was arrested and booked into the Lane County Jail on a fugitive from justice charge. His Lane County court appearance is scheduled for January 23.
Taylor is expected to be extradited to Long Beach to face assault with a deadly weapon charges, with bail set at $155,000.
After the Ducks lost to Ohio State in the College Football Playoffs, Taylor/Pellum entered the transfer portal. Sports Illustrated reports Pellum was originally committed to the USC Trojans before flipping to the Ducks and committing to Oregon coach Dan Lanning.