UTEP second team All-Western Athletic Conference defensive back David Terrell was arrested Friday afternoon on warrants stemming from shoplifting and assault charges, a source close to the program said.

El Paso attorney Luis Aguilar confirmed on Monday that he has been hired by Terrell, 21, to handle the case. He spoke with Terrell briefly on Friday evening before his release from jail on bond.

However, Aguilar said he still had no knowledge of what his client's charges stemmed from.

"We didn't discuss the case," Aguilar said. "He was in the process of bonding out."

UTEP assistant coaches had no comment about Terrell's situation on Monday. Miner coach Charlie Bailey is out of town, UTEP officials said, and will likely comment upon his return to the city.

The senior Terrell, who has started since his freshman season, contributed largely to UTEP's turnaround from one of the worst defenses in the nation in 1995 to the No. 39 defense in the country last season.

He is expected to anchor UTEP's secondary once again during the 1997 season. Along with returning starters Michael Hicks, Joe Riccillo and Kilangi Muagututia, UTEP's defensive backfield is expected to be the strong point of its defense.

The 6-foot-2, 172-pound Sweetwater, Texas, native was creditied with 76 tackles, seven pass breakups and an interception during UTEP's 1996 2-9 campaign.

Terrell, who was Honorable Mention All-WAC in 1995, has 288 tackles and five interceptions in his collegiate career.