Apr 7, 2007 10:03 am US/Central
3 Gopher Football Players Arrested
by Bridgette Bornstein
Minneapolis (WCCO) ―
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Three U of M football players have been suspended from the team pending a criminal investigation.
Saturday was supposed to be an exciting day for Gopher football players, their Spring finale at the Dome, but Friday night, a dark cloud hung over the team.
Police arrested three players Friday afternoon. They were in custody, accused of sexual assault.
According to the University of Minnesota, they are Alex Daniels, Keith Massey and E.J. Jones.
Daniels and Massey are 20 years old. Jones is 19. A university spokesman said all three are sophomores, but Daniels is listed on the roster as a junior. It appeared they had not been charged with any crime as of Friday night, but they remained in police custody.
"Three young guys have been suspended from the football team due to rules violations. These young guys, it's very, very disappointing to me, but we're going to support these guys and we'll see where it goes," said Gopher football coach Tim Brewster.
Brewster wouldn't say anything more, except that the department is cooperating with the investigation.
"Overnight one of the University Officers was flagged down by a young woman who wanted to make a report that she'd been sexually assaulted," said U of M Police Chief Greg Hestness.
According to the police report, it happened Wednesday. Police said it happened at University Village Apartments.
Police served search warrants Friday afternoon and then took the three men into custody. On Friday it wasn't clear what role each was accused of playing and it also wasn't clear if the woman knew the men before the incident happened.
"We took the victim's initial report and followed up with statements with her and other witness and it still seems pretty credible. I mean there's no rush to judgment here. Obviously they have presumption of innocence and the right to respond, but so far the case seems credible," said Hestness.
The woman did go for a sexual assault exam, known as a rape kit, and police hope that might provide some evidence.
Police said the alleged act fits first-degree criminal sexual conduct. That usually requires penetration and is usually accompanied by threats, force or accomplices.
Police are interviewing witnesses and trying to figure out what role each is accused of playing in the incident.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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