Tyson was training for a rematch against James "Buster" Douglas, to whom he lost the World Heavyweight boxing title in February 1990. However, Tyson's behavior was becoming erratic, his marriage to Robin Givens had failed and he had built up a reputation for inappropriate, and sometimes violent, advances to women.

Tyson was one of the celebrities at the Miss Black American pageant, where he met Ms Washington. A number of his propositions to the contestants had been rebutted, although Ms Washington, who was a college student, seemed impressed.

Tyson called Washington up asking her out on a date. He invited her to his room where he claimed to have left something he needed to pick up. When she came out of the bedroom he forced himself on her.

Tyson claimed that the sex had been consensual. The medical examinations confirmed Washington's story.

Tyson was given a 6 year sentence in February 1992. He was released in 1995.