Three University of Minnesota football players have been accused of rape

Tom Ford:

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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