According to the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court's Western Michigan district, an unnamed sophomore and another MSU football player sexually assaulted a female student intern. The incident took place in Case Hall in January 2021. The players said the encounter was consensual. 

A warrant request was submitted per Michigan State University’s Police Department’s information, Ingham County Prosecutor Carol Siemon told The State News in an email.

“When and if one or more individuals are charged and arraigned, additional information could be shared,” she said. 

Grand Rapids law firm Springstead Bartish Borgula & Lynch PLCC filed the lawsuit. They allege the football player was unfairly suspended from the team and the university has been slow in its response.

“MSU has not been formally served with this lawsuit yet,” MSU spokesperson Emily Guerrant said. “And we traditionally do not comment on pending litigation. This football player has not been involved with team activities (practices, games, training or other activities) since earlier this year.”

As required under Title IX rules, MSU notified the plaintiff and began investigating. According to the suit, however, the grievance process hasn’t been completed, nor has the case been submitted to those responsible for the final decision. 

In an email statement, Tessa Muir, the unnamed sophomore's attorney, said, “I'm afraid I am not able to comment on the case at this stage.”