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Austin Robertson, ex-Michigan State DL awaiting sexual assault trial, arrested in Kansas

admin — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 22:35:24 +0000

The troubles for former Michigan State defensive lineman Auston Robertson continue.

dismissed from the MSU program last April after he was charged with sexual assault, was arrested Tuesday in Garden City, Kansas, where he attends community college and plays football. According to the Lansing State Journal, Robertson, 20, is potentially facing four charges: “aggravated robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery, distribution of marijuana, and interfering with law enforcement officers.”" data-reactid="23">Robertson, who was dismissed from the MSU program last April after he was charged with sexual assault, was arrested Tuesday in Garden City, Kansas, where he attends community college and plays football. According to the Lansing State Journal, Robertson, 20, is potentially facing four charges: “aggravated robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery, distribution of marijuana, and interfering with law enforcement officers.”

Conditions of Robertson’s bond stemming from the April 2017 sexual assault charge in Michigan allowed Robertson to attend Garden City Community College. That changed after Robertson’s arrest Tuesday in Kansas, where formal charges are expected.

From the Lansing State Journal:" data-reactid="25">From the Lansing State Journal:

Judge Clinton Canady III last summer agreed to modify Robertson’s bond so he could move from Ohio to attend school and play football in Kansas. He was required to wear a GPS tether as part of Canady’s conditions. On Thursday, Canady revoked Robertson’s bond in the local case.

Robertson is currently being held on a $300,000 bond in Kansas and is expected to be formally charged there next week, Matusko said. Robertson’s trial had been scheduled to begin in May. It’s unclear whether his Kansas case will affect the start date.

In Michigan, Robertson is awaiting trial on a felony charge of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, which relates to alleged non-consensual sexual penetration with force or coercion. Robertson was suspended from the MSU team when the investigation into his alleged conduct began. When the charge was filed, he was dismissed from the program.

charged with misdemeanor battery for allegedly inappropriately touching a female classmate. From there, he entered a diversionary program and the charge was cleared from his record. Michigan State then accepted his national letter of intent on March 30, several weeks after signing day." data-reactid="31">Robertson was one of the top prospects in MSU’s 2016 recruiting class, but he nearly never made it to campus. He initially did not sign on national signing day because he was charged with misdemeanor battery for allegedly inappropriately touching a female classmate. From there, he entered a diversionary program and the charge was cleared from his record. Michigan State then accepted his national letter of intent on March 30, several weeks after signing day.

said in a school statement when the lineman signed." data-reactid="32">“Our decision to accept Auston Robertson’s signed National Letter of Intent and Big Ten Tender has been evaluated over the last three months while utilizing all resources available to us to thoroughly review his situation,” Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said in a school statement when the lineman signed.

“Our relationship with Auston began last summer when he committed to Michigan State. When we accepted his verbal (commitment), we also made a commitment to him and his family. We elected not to sign him in early February, and since then he has been accepted into a pretrial diversionary program and must continue to satisfy those requirements. Given all the information available to us, we believe Auston should be provided with an opportunity to begin his education and playing career at Michigan State.”

Robertson appeared in seven games as a true freshman, but never saw the field again. He played in 12 games last year at Garden City Community College, a top junior college program that often sends players back to the FBS level. He totaled 73 tackles and seven sacks.

– – – – – – –" data-reactid="35">– – – – – – –

Sam Cooper is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!" data-reactid="36">Sam Cooper is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @SamDCooper" data-reactid="37">Follow @SamDCooper

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Awaiting trial for rape, former Tennessee Vols football player A.J. Johnson

admin — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 03:40:43 +0000

Mark Alewine, For Knoxville News Sentinel
Published 7:00 a.m. ET Jan. 8, 2018

A state appellate court ruled Wednesday that former University of Tennessee star linebacker A.J. Johnson and a former teammate have the right to go after the social media history of the woman who accuses them of rape.
Wochit

Former Tennessee player A.J. Johnson heads to court with his attorney, Stephen Ross Johnson, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, at the City-County Building.(Photo: Michael Patrick / News Sentinel)

Former Tennessee football player A.J. Johnson gave his first interview since he was charged with rape in November of 2014.

Johnson was scheduled to make his Mixed Martial Arts debut Saturday night at Valor Fights 47 at the Civic Coliseum, but was not medically cleared after suffering an injury prior to the event.

Johnson and former teammate Michael Williams are accused of raping a female UT athlete during a party at Johnson’s apartment after a UT game. The former Vols say the sex was consensual and that the accuser, who was dating another football player while carrying on a side affair with Johnson, is lying.

Johnson and Williams are each charged with two counts of aggravated rape and two counts of aiding and abetting the other in those aggravated rapes. The trial, which has been delayed, is now scheduled for July 16.

“I don’t have a comment on that,” Johnson said of the trial. “I’m just out here living life, and doing what I’m supposed to be doing.”

More: Judge sets trial date in rape case against ex-Vols A.J. Johnson, Michael Williams

More: Supreme Court backs A.J. Johnson’s bid to see alleged victim’s social media

More: Former Tennessee Vols star linebacker A.J. Johnson, ex-teammate cry foul over ‘victim’ label in rape case

At the time of the incident, Johnson was a senior linebacker, and Williams was a sophomore defensive back. The two were suspended by UT and later dismissed.

Johnson addressed the crowd at center ring during the first intermission, and later made an appearance with C.J. Baker after Baker defeated fellow amateur Ricky Jones by TKO. Johnson was originally scheduled to fight Baker.

“It’s been a pretty cool transition. Fun transition,” Johnson said of his move from training for football to MMA. “I’m staying in shape. Being able to stay active.”

Johnson said he was introduced to MMA through UFC fighter and Knoxville resident Scott Holtzman.

“He’s the one. I went to gym with him one time,” Johnson said. “I got a good workout with him. Then after that, I was like, ‘Man, I think I can do this.’ ”

Johnson emphasized the challenge of learning the tactical side of the sport.

“It’s like chess,” Johnson said. “You really got to think when you’re in there. You can’t just go in there and start swinging and going crazy. You’ve got to think and have your mind come clear when you’re in there.”

Johnson said he doesn’t have a clear plan for where MMA fighting can take him, or if a career in the sport is a possibility.

“There’s no telling right now,” Johnson said. “My goal is to pick up a few amateur fights. If I’m not able to get into a (NFL) training camp this season, I’m going far with it.”

Results from the event include a dominant win for Olivia Parker, who defeated Erica Camp with a first round TKO in just 2 minutes, 4 second. Parker, a teacher at Heritage High School, is now 5-0 as an amateur.

More: Olivia Parker loses 150 pounds to become MMA fighter

More: Female MMA fighter wants to make Knoxvillians superheroes

“It was a great fight,” Parker said to the crowd after the match. “She (Camp) was game. She was a really good opponent.”

MMA fighter Olivia Parker, of Seymour, will fight this Saturday at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum.

Parker began fighting in mixed martial arts just four years ago, and has since lost 150 pounds training as a fighter.

Other results include a welterweight, first round KO victory for Jason King over Steven Haag. Lightweight fighter Keith Olson defeated Alex Riggs by submission in the first round, and Shamir Peshawa earned her first professional victory with a win over Natalie King by unanimous decision.

Shamir Peshewa is a female MMA fighter who trains out of Knoxville Martial Arts Academy on Martin Mill Pike in Knoxville Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017.
Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel

Mark Alewine is a freelance contributor.

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Awaiting trial for rape, former Tennessee Vols football player A.J. Johnson

admin — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 15:23:46 +0000