Home||Local|Crime Three Gophers football players remain jailed Police released few new details about the alleged rape, which reportedly occurred at the University Village Apartments. Printer friendly E-mail this story Save to del.icio.us E.J. Jones Keith Massey Related Content Arrests cast pall on spring 'celebration' Crime Woman trying to rob store is shot by clerk after scuffle Three Gophers football players remain jailed Arrest made in fatal hit-and-run Sheriff: Runaway held captive, raped As court date nears, hurt stays Three University of Minnesota football players suspected of being involved in the alleged rape of an 18-year-old woman at an apartment complex near campus remained in jail Saturday after their bail was set at $100,000 each. Charges against Alex Daniels and Keith Massey, both 20, and E.J. Jones, 19, could come as early as Monday, authorities said. Charges against Alex Daniels and Keith Massey, both 20, and E.J. Jones, 19, could come as early as Monday, authorities said. If the Hennepin County Attorney's Office does not file charges against them by noon Monday, the three would be released from the Hennepin County jail, said University Police Chief Greg Hestness. But that wouldn't preclude them from being charged later, he added. If the Hennepin County Attorney's Office does not file charges against them by noon Monday, the three would be released from the Hennepin County jail, said University Police Chief Greg Hestness. But that wouldn't preclude them from being charged later, he added. The players, who have been suspended from the team by coach Tim Brewster pending the outcome of the investigation, did not play in the team's annual spring scrimmage Saturday at the Metrodome. The players, who have been suspended from the team by coach Tim Brewster pending the outcome of the investigation, did not play in the team's annual spring scrimmage Saturday at the Metrodome. After the scrimmage, Brewster gave a brief statement and then said he would not discuss the situation further. University officials told news media members that they would cut off any interviews with players that didn't focus strictly on the spring game. After the scrimmage, Brewster gave a brief statement and then said he would not discuss the situation further. University officials told news media members that they would cut off any interviews with players that didn't focus strictly on the spring game. "Obviously it's a disappointing situation that's been presented to me," Brewster said. "There's an investigation that's ongoing that we're going to cooperate fully with." "Obviously it's a disappointing situation that's been presented to me," Brewster said. "There's an investigation that's ongoing that we're going to cooperate fully with." Said university athletic director Joel Maturi: "We will let the process take its course and then do the appropriate thing. But I'm not ready to abandon these kids. It's our responsibility to stand by them and their families." Said university athletic director Joel Maturi: "We will let the process take its course and then do the appropriate thing. But I'm not ready to abandon these kids. It's our responsibility to stand by them and their families." According to Hestness, the alleged rape occurred late Tuesday or early Wednesday at the University Village Apartments on University Avenue, where the players live. According to Hestness, the alleged rape occurred late Tuesday or early Wednesday at the University Village Apartments on University Avenue, where the players live. He said that the 18-year-old woman is not a resident there and that she is not a University of Minnesota student. He said that the 18-year-old woman is not a resident there and that she is not a University of Minnesota student. Hestness said police are continuing to investigate, and he would not discuss how the woman and players encountered each other, or what led to the alleged attack. Hestness said police are continuing to investigate, and he would not discuss how the woman and players encountered each other, or what led to the alleged attack. He also did not discuss details of the allegations, though he noted the players "were booked on criminal sexual conduct in the third degree. And that usually does involve penetration, nonconsensual penetration." He also did not discuss details of the allegations, though he noted the players "were booked on criminal sexual conduct in the third degree. And that usually does involve penetration, nonconsensual penetration." On the day of the incident, the woman did go to a hospital for a sexual-assault examination, and was offered services from victim advocates, according to a police report. On the day of the incident, the woman did go to a hospital for a sexual-assault examination, and was offered services from victim advocates, according to a police report. Early Friday, she flagged down a university officer who was on patrol to report the rape, Hestness said. Early Friday, she flagged down a university officer who was on patrol to report the rape, Hestness said. "It's really not uncommon for victims of sexual assault to delay reporting," he said. "It's a difficult decision for a lot of women." "It's really not uncommon for victims of sexual assault to delay reporting," he said. "It's a difficult decision for a lot of women." Several detectives began investigating the incident, including searching the apartment complex Friday, he said. The players were then arrested and booked at the jail just before 9 p.m. Several detectives began investigating the incident, including searching the apartment complex Friday, he said. The players were then arrested and booked at the jail just before 9 p.m. In most years, university police receive about eight to 20 reports of sexual assaults, with only one or two, if any, of the incidents involving rape by a stranger, Hestness said. Most of the incidents involve acquaintances, he said. In most years, university police receive about eight to 20 reports of sexual assaults, with only one or two, if any, of the incidents involving rape by a stranger, Hestness said. Most of the incidents involve acquaintances, he said.
Three players for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers football team have been arrested following a rape allegation. The three players have been identified as defensive end Alex Daniels, cornerback Keith Massey, and running back E.J. Jones, all sophomores. They are in custody at the Hennepin County Jail pending charges. Bail has been set at $100,000 for each player.

The three are accused of raping an 18-year old woman at the University Village Apartments, where the accused players live. "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 University Police Chief Greg Hestness. Hestness did not disclose further details of the allegations, though he stated the players "were booked on criminal sexual conduct in the third degree. And that usually does involve penetration, non-consensual penetration." Once an investigation is complete, the case will be presented to the Hennepin County attorney for possible charges.

Following Saturday's spring scrimmage at the Metrodome, new coach Tim Brewster said "Obviously it's a disappointing situation that's been presented to me. There's an investigation that's ongoing that we're going to cooperate fully with." The players have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation, and did not participate in the annual intrasquad game.

Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi said "We will let the process take its course and then do the appropriate thing. But I'm not ready to abandon these kids. It's our responsibility to stand by them and their families."