The Eagle County (Colo.) sheriff who supervised the investigation that led to Kobe Bryant's arrest said Tuesday he "would not agree" if the local district attorney's office chose not to file a felony sexual assault charge against the Lakers star guard.

"We would not have done what we did unless we thought charges should be filed," Sheriff Joseph Hoy said as first-year District Attorney Mark Hurlbert continued to weigh the evidence. "Based on what I know of the evidence, I would expect [Hurlbert] to file charges."

Hurlbert, 34, appointed to his office in December by Gov. Bill Owens, said Tuesday that he and his deputies were "proceeding" with a review of the case and that a decision to file or decline charges was expected Friday or Monday. He declined to comment on Hoy's assessment, and he told an assistant he wanted to restrict comments about the case until he reveals a final decision.

Bryant, 24, was arrested and booked on suspicion of felony sexual assault on July 4, three days after an unidentified 19-year-old female from Eagle County told sheriff's deputies that Bryant assaulted her June 30, while he was staying at the opulent Lodge and Spa at Cordillera Hotel.

Law enforcement sources said Bryant, in town to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee by Vail specialist Dr. Richard Steadman, was alone at the hotel when he was confronted with the woman's allegations on July 2. He returned to Southern California, then came back to Colorado to post $25,000 bond.

The woman is employed by the hotel, Hoy confirmed. Several hotel employees refused to comment about the incident, saying they had been told by their supervisors that they would be terminated if they spoke publicly.

Hoy expressed sympathy for the alleged victim and defended the work of his deputies that contributed to the arrest. Hoy said neither he nor anyone he knew of in his department was a friend or relative of the woman.