A starting member of the Brookhaven High School Panthersfootball team has been arrested and charged with felony sexualbattery, authorities said Tuesday.

Quartez D. Lyons, 17, of 815 Union St., was arrested on awarrant Monday shortly after 1 p.m. by the Brookhaven PoliceDepartment at the Lincoln County-Brookhaven Government Complex.

BPD Assistant Chief Nolan Jones said Lyons was taken intocustody while appearing at city court to pay an old, unrelatedfine. Officers were sent to apprehend him when the city court judgecalled the department to inquire about Lyons.

Jones said Lyons is accused of sexually abusing a minor child,who was not identified because the case is still underinvestigation.

“There’s still a lot of investigation to do on this case yet,”Jones said. “We have evidence to be submitted to the state crimelab.”

Jones said the warrant was issued Aug. 21. Lyons was releasedfrom the Lincoln County Jail Monday afternoon on a $20,000bond.

Because of the nature of the crime, Lyons will be charged as anadult, Jones said.

Lyons is a starter on the Panthers’ offensive line.