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Minneapolis (WCCO) ― Note: This story contains graphic descriptions of situations that some may find objectionable.

Four star Minnesota Vikings players, including Daunte Culpepper and Fred Smoot, face three misdemeanor charges each in connection with October's notorious "sex boat" party on Lake Minnetonka.

Culpepper, Bryant McKinnie, Smoot and Moe Williams were each charged with indecent conduct, disorderly conduct and lewd or lascivious conduct, according to court papers.

If convicted, each player faces a maximum of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine on each count. The players' first court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 5.

Prosecutor Steve Tallen's decision was based on findings by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, whose investigators reviewed allegations of lewd and drunken behavior aboard a floating party Oct. 6 that involved some Vikings players.

Hennepin County Sheriff Patrick D. McGowan said at a news conference that the investigation remains active and open, meaning the identities of witnesses, including other players believed to have attended the party, cannot be disclosed yet.

The open investigation also means more players could also potentially face charges in connection with the party at a later date.

"There is a large difference between allegations and charges and convictions," Vikings head coach Mike Tice said in a press conference assembled to discuss the team's upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. "Until at any point there is a conviction of some type, if there is, I have no action to take, and nothing to say."

Crew members complained that some people took off their clothes and engaged in public sex acts during the cruise, according to Stephen Doyle, an attorney representing the boat owners, Al & Alma's Supper Club and Charter Cruises in Mound, Minn. The crew members identified 17 Vikings among about 90 people on the two boats.

McGowan said 30 partygoers have been identified, and every Vikings player believed to have attended the party has declined to talk about the matter to authorities.

"That leaves two-thirds of the people that we don't know who they are," McGowan said.

The sheriff said other charges could have been filed against other players, but authorities weren't able to identify them sufficiently.

"The night of the incident, there was no shortage of inappropriate behavior on both boats," McGowan said.

According to the criminal complaints:

• After the boats left the dock, crew members noticed many female passengers going to a lower restroom area and emerging in scant clothing.

• Culpepper got a lap dance from a naked woman in one boat's bar area, and put his hands on the buttocks of another dancer. McKinnie placed a woman on a bar in the lounge area and performed oral sex; later, he and three other unidentified men received oral sex from four women while sitting in deck chairs.

• Smoot used a sex toy on two women on the floor in the lounge area, and Williams got a lap dance from a topless dancer and placed his hands on her breasts.

The court papers released Thursday said Smoot and defensive end Lance Johnstone arranged the charter.

Smoot declined comment in the team's locker room before practice. Both Culpepper and Williams are on injured reserve and in rehabilitation on their own, away from the team. McKinnie wasn't seen in the locker room.

McGowan said no one has yet been able to identify any of the women involved in the party, and the sheriff also said no physical evidence has yet been found that any photographs were taken at the party.

The sheriff said nine people were subpoenaed by authorities, and four search warrants were executed. Those warrants remain sealed, McGowan said.

McGowan said the Vikings organization was "very, very cooperative" in the investigation, providing authorities with information and access in a timely and professional manner.

On Wednesday, the FBI said no federal criminal charges would be filed in the scandal, but sources had told WCCO-TV they believed misdemeanor charges would be filed in Hennepin County.

Federal agents tried to determine if anyone violated federal laws by flying in strippers from other states. Once the investigation was concluded, agents said no federal laws were violated.

"It was clear to me that the Hennepin County Sheriff did a completely thorough and outstanding investigation," said Michael Tabman, FBI Special Agent in Charge.

U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger said Thursday that no federal charges would be brought, citing insufficient evidence. That decision, along with sheriff's decision to send the case to Tallen's office, meant any charges would be minor.

Tallen is the prosecuting attorney for the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District, which handles nonfelony crimes committed on the big lake just west of Minneapolis.

Attorney Peter Wold, who represents one Vikings player, said the players "would be vigorously defended" if misdemeanor charges were brought against them.

"I really think this is a shakedown," Wold said.

The boat scandal hit the Vikings when they were already reeling, off to a 1-3 start, and made them the object of national ridicule on late-night TV and cable sports channels. New owner Zygi Wilf, who had been seeking state help for a new stadium, responded forcefully, apologizing to Gov. Tim Pawlenty and other state officials and instituting a new code of conduct.

The team has since recovered on the field and, with quarterback Brad Johnson replacing the injured Culpepper, reeled off six straight wins to become a playoff contender at 8-5.

Running back Michael Bennett said he didn't think the charges would hurt the team heading into Sunday's game against Pittsburgh.

"Everybody's upbeat," he said. "We have the distraction today, but again we've dealt with it pretty well."

Receiver Marcus Robinson, asked if he was worried the whole team would be cast in a negative light, sounded philosophical.

"That's what happens in football. They label all football players the same, all athletes the same. That's just a part of our job right now. You've got to know who you are as an individual and worry about what you can control."

Watch WCCO-TV at 5, 6 and 10 for more on this story.

(© 2005 CBS Worldwide Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)