Posted on 01/01/2004 5:29:22 PM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
Roberson Named In Sexual Assault Complaint By Steve Helwagen Managing Editor Date: Jan 1, 2004
Kansas State quarterback Ell Roberson was named as a suspect in a sexual assault investigation by police in Paradise Valley, Ariz. The alleged assault occurred at 3:30 a.m. this morning at the team hotel. Police say Roberson was in custody for 10 hours, but has not been charged. His status for Friday's Fiesta Bowl was unclear. Click here for more details.
Kansas State quarterback Ell Roberson was in police custody for 10 hours earlier today as they investigated a sexual assault complaint against him.
Roberson, 23, is named in a complaint filed with the Paradise Valley, Ariz., police department. His accuser, a female alumnus of Kansas State and a resident of Kansas, claims he attacked her at about 3:30 a.m. this morning at the team's hotel, the Scottsdale Plaza Resort.
However, Lt. Ron Warner of the Paradise Valley Police Department said Roberson has not been formally charged.
"No physical arrest is expected at this point," Warner told Bucknuts.com. "No physical evidence was found in the room. There were no evident physical injuries to the victim. She was examined medically and we await the results of that exam next week."
According to Warner, his department would then turn over its files to county attorney Rick Romley's office for a determination as to whether criminal charges will be filed.
"That would be determined by our county attorney if there is sufficient evidence to support a charge," Warner said.
Warner said Roberson told police that he has consensual sex with the alleged victim. The room involved was neither that of Roberson nor the woman.
Warner says police decided to issue a news release on the situation after a media inquiry.
As of 7 p.m. Eastern time, there had been no announcement from Kansas State officials or K-State head coach Bill Snyder regarding Roberson's status for Friday's Fiesta Bowl game against Ohio State.
According to one media report, KSU athletic director Ken Weiser said Snyder would decide Roberson's status for the game.
Lt. Warner told Bucknuts.com he met with Kansas State's chief of police at about 4:30 a.m. this morning to discuss the investigation. It is reasonable to assume that Snyder knew of the ongoing investigation when he met with the media this morning at 8:30 a.m. Roberson's status was not discussed at the media session.
"They were certainly aware of it," Lt. Warner said.
According to Lt. Warner, he was summoned to the hotel by Gordon Richards, head of security at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort.
"The victim reported it to the security officer at the hotel," Lt. Warner said. "There is evidence to support that they (Roberson and his accuser) knew each other previous to this incident. But there is no indication there was a sexual relationship."
Both Roberson and his accuser were interviewed at the Paradise Valley police headquarters. Roberson remained in police custody from about 4 a.m. until he was released at 2 p.m. The Kansas State team held its final practice at Sun Devil Stadium at 4 p.m. It is unclear whether Roberson attended that practice session.
A collection of media members covering both teams ventured to the K-State team hotel early this evening seeking an update on Roberson's status, but were turned away and escorted from the grounds by hotel security.
Roberson was the driving force behind Kansas State's 11-3 Big 12 championship team this year. The three-year starter earned third-team All-Big 12 honors after rushing for 943 yards and 13 touchdowns and throwing for 2,251 yards and 24 scores.
If Roberson is ruled ineligible for the Fiesta Bowl, Kansas State would likely turn to senior Jeff Schwinn. Schwinn started two early season games while Roberson was injured, including the loss to Marshall. For the year, the 6-2, 205-pound Schwinn completed 37 of 68 passes for 563 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.
When and if Kansas State issues a statement regarding Roberson, we will update this report.
This game is not tarnished. Kansas State's reputation may be, because of bad judgment on the part of their AD and coach. At the very least, Robison broke the rules by breaking curfew, but wasn't punished at all. Win or lose by the final score of this game, Ohio State comes out winners. We run an extremely clean program, and put integrity before winning. Woody would be proud.
I do not like the Buckeyes, but I hope they demolish Kansas.
Good.
Well, Dad was always an Ohio fan!
For the first three quarters Ell looked inept. OSU had prepared for him. But if Kansas had played a difference quarterback KSU might have done better. What a bad message that KSU coach sent by playing Ell.
As to charges being filed, the authorities have to wait for the DNA tests.
I wish you didn't feel that way. I'm not here to bash KS, in fact, you have a team to be proud of.
I do question your coach's decision not to punish Roberson if he did in fact break curfew. He stated in an article that I read, that HIS teams business is THEIR business. He might have to take a different approach if he ever has to deal with the NCAA rules committee.
The way Ohio State handled the Clarett situation was very above board. Although our AD and coach made the final decisions, they cared enough about the fans to keep them in the loop. For that, I give them alot of respect.
A sign held up by a young woman at the game:
Plane ticket to Tampe: $424
Tickets to Fiesta Bowl: $100
Curfew violation: priceless
Judging form some of the articles, many of the KSU fans are upset with their coach.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.