Apple Valley Wrestling Alum Accused Of Sexual Misconduct

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Two University of Minnesota wrestlers were arrested over the weekend and are accused of criminal sexual misconduct, according to media reports. Gable Steveson, 19, a nationally-ranked heavyweight wrestler for the Gophers, and teammate Dylan Martinez, 21, were taken into custody on Saturday and are awaiting the possibility of formal charges.

Steveson's father, Robert, confirmed his son's arrest to KSTP-TV. Steveson is an Apple Valley native and a four-time state champion at Apple Valley High School. During his freshman season at the University of Minnesota, he went 35-2 at 285 pounds, placing second at the Big Ten tournament and third at the NCAA Championships. Martinez came to the Gophers from Fresno City College in California, KSTP reported.

Both men were arrested at different locations Saturday night. Steveson was arrested at a home on 26th Avenue Southeast in the Como neighborhood of Minneapolis, and Martinez was taken into custody at the home on 14th Avenue Southeast. The arrests happened after a 911 call was placed Friday and police responded to the 14th Avenue Southeast address about a possible criminal sexual conduct incident.

In a statement, a University of Minnesota athletics department official said, "We are aware of a situation involving two of our student athletes and are in the process of gathering more information. These students have been suspended from all team activity pending further information. Federal and state law precludes any further details at this time."

Both men were booked and remain in the Hennepin County Jail. The Hennepin County Attorney's office has until noon Tuesday to make a charging decision. Christa Groshek, a lawyer for the Steveson family, told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune Steveson was "shocked" by the arrest and is cooperating with police.