HOUSTON -- Former Houston Rocket Calvin Murphy has been charged with sexual assault in connection with crimes against female family members, officials told News2Houston Monday.

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Local Sports Legend Defends Self Against Allegations

The Harris County District Attorney's Office filed six felony counts against Murphy, 55. The allegations involve five of Murphy's female relatives in incidents from 1988 to 1991, according to prosecutors.

Murphy is charged with three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, and three counts of indecency with a child.

Prosecutors said all of the victims are now adults ranging in age from 20 to 27; however, the incidents all occurred when the women were younger than 14 years old.

News2Houston legal expert Brian Wice said charges coming nearly 10 years after the reported abuse occurred is not uncommon when children are involved in indecent acts with adults.

"I think if we have learned anything about sexual assault cases involving minor children, we have learned that sometimes youngsters aren't willing and are unable to come forward with outcry until weeks, months, or again, as in this case, sometimes years after the fact. Sometimes it is a case of youngsters receiving therapy that opens them up to disclosure., The Legislature recognized that when they changed the statute of limitations from 5 years on these kinds of crimes to 10 years past the victim's 18th birthday."

Texas Rangers started the investigation when one of Murphy's relatives came forward with the allegations. They said they charged him with more crimes as they interviewed more family members.

Murphy's attorney, Rusty Hardin, issued the following statement:

"Calvin Murphy is totally devastated. I am absolutely convinced this didn't happen. We've been aware of the investigation for two weeks now, and have provided police with witnesses, both children and adults, who say it did not happen. The authorities have not talked to or interviewed Calvin Murphy. He is taking a leave of absence from the Rockets organization to fight the allegations that are absolutely untrue. Calvin wants to convince the public and others he is not guilty."

Murphy and his attorney knew about the charges for two weeks and thought they would be able to settle the situation outside court.

"Indecency usually involves an allegation of touching. Aggravated sexual assault of a child requires a sexual act," Harris County Assistant District Attorney Lance Long said.

Hardin said he thinks the three women made the claims because they wanted money from their mother's retirement fund that she had left to Murphy.

"These children wanted that fund as adults and have made clear that he would regret it if he didn't sign it over to them," Hardin said.

Hardin said the indictment also showed an allegation from another woman who Murphy told to talk to prosecutors.

"She adamantly insisted to us repeatedly, both before and after an interview with law enforcement, that he did not do anything improper to her," Hardin said.

Wice said Hardin's comments following the public release of the allegations were not surprising.

"Exactly what we saw defense attorney Rusty Hardin do (Monday) ... going on the defensive, convincing the potential jury pool in Harris County that this is a case about disgruntled kids who are looking to get paid. And, given that the outcry in this isn't a matter of weeks, months, but literally, 10 or more years, this case turns incredibly on the complainants' credibility, which Rusty Hardin will do his best to eviscerate."

Murphy spoke to News2Houston's Linda Lorelle in an emotional phone call Monday evening. He told her "he is not doing well at all" as his voice broke.

Prosecutors told News2Houston they are not ruling out other victims.

"If anyone else feels that something inappropriate has happened to them, (they should) call me at the district attorney's office at (713) 755-6178," prosecutor Lance Long said.

Long said more interviews will be conducted.

Murphy turned himself in Monday night and was released on a $90,000 bond.

Fans Shocked, Saddened By Charges

At the Houston Rockets home game Monday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, fans told News2Houston they were shocked and saddened by the charges former Rockets superstar and current commentator Murphy faced.

Over the years, Murphy earned respect from fans both as an aggressive player on the court as an athlete and off the court as a talented analyst.

Many fans told News2Houston that were familiar with Murphy's community outreach with children just as much as his on-air work for the sports team.

"The Calvin Murphy that I know is a great announcer for the Rockets. I've never know him to do, or even think to do anything (like that charges he faces)," fan Pam Johnson said.

Many fans brought up comparisons of Murphy's charges to the Kobe Bryant case. Others remained skeptical of the allegations launched against the former Rocket.

"It is hard for me to believe. A guy of that stature, for something like that to happen is very hard for me to believe," fan Tim Green said.

Rocket fan Tim Riley said until a verdict is read, it would be hard for him to believe the charges.

"With allegations, you never know what is going to happen. "It's like Kobe ... just got to wait and see what happens," Riley said.

Murphy played for the Rockets from 1970 to 1983 as a star guard. He was inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame on May 10, 1993. Murphy was the all-time leading scorer for the Rockets until Hakeem Olajuwon broke his record. The Rockets retired his No. 23 jersey.

The Rockets said Murphy asked for a leave of absence as a color analyst for Houston Rockets television broadcasts. Former Rocket Matt Bullard replaced Murphy Monday night.