No Charges Filed Against Gopher Football Players in Sexual Assault Case

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Hennepin County Attorney's Office will not file charges against four Gophers football players that were being investigated in a criminal sexual conduct case.

The attorney's office announced Monday that there is "insufficient, admissible evidence" for prosecutors to pursue the case:

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office reviewed a case investigated and submitted by Minneapolis Police against several Minnesota Gopher football players.

Based on the evidence available, the county attorney’s office is declining to file any charges. There is insufficient, admissible evidence for prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that either force was used or that the victim was physically helpless as defined by law in the sexual encounter.

This office will have no further comment on the case

Previously, the Pioneer Press reported that the victim in the case was a 22-year-old woman who reported being sexually assaulted Sept. 2. A Minneapolis Police Department spokesman said the case “mentions” four Gophers football players.

The alleged assault took place after the Gophers beat Oregon State in their season opener at TCF Bank Stadium.

Gophers head coach Tracy Claeys suspended four players in the following game against Indiana State.

Image via Jon DeJong, Flickr, used under Creative Commons