Thursday, March 28, 2024

'Outside The Lines' piece details investigation into basketball freshman

February 16, 2018
Redshirt sophomore guard Conner George (41) and freshman guard Brock Washington (14) cheer on the Spartans during the Champions Classic during the game against Duke on Nov. 14, 2017 at the United Center. The Spartans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 81-88.
Redshirt sophomore guard Conner George (41) and freshman guard Brock Washington (14) cheer on the Spartans during the Champions Classic during the game against Duke on Nov. 14, 2017 at the United Center. The Spartans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 81-88. —
Photo by Carly Geraci | The State News

ESPN's "Outside The Lines" released a report Thursday night detailing an alleged incident between a woman and freshman walk-on guard Brock Washington, who is a member of the men's basketball team.

According to the report, Ingham County prosecutors are deciding whether or not formal charges should be filed on Washington for an alleged assault that has been classified by MSU police as a fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct is a "high-court misdemeanor," which means Washington can serve a maximum of two years in prison. 

A female reported to MSU police in August 2017 that Washington "groped her without permission." After conducting an investigation, MSU police sent its findings over to the Ingham County Prosecutor's office on Dec. 13, 2017.

Details of the allegations and circumstances are still unknown.

OTL reached out to multiple university officials and Washington for comment on the incident on Thursday afternoon. No official or Washington responded.

John Truscott, recently hired to lead MSU's crisis communications, said in an email to OTL he wasn't "in a position to know anything about the case."

"I'm just saying we don't have any information at this time but will certainly look into it," Truscott said to OTL. "We don't have access to police reports, nor does the police department inform anyone of actions such as this."

Washington has not played so far this season for the men's basketball team, but has been in uniform.

Interim President John Engler addressed the Jan. 26 OTL report Tuesday in a statement, calling it "a sensationalized package of reporting that contained allegations and insinuations that we are now reviewing." 

Stay with The State News as this story develops.

Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.

Discussion

Share and discuss “'Outside The Lines' piece details investigation into basketball freshman” on social media.