Strong could face up to a year in prison, thousands in fines

IAN SMAY, Evergreen news editor
June 20, 2018

The Whitman County Prosecutor’s Office has charged a former University of Montana football player with second-degree assault after he allegedly beat a WSU track and field athlete last October.

Justin Strong, a 22-year-old defensive back who just completed his final season with the Grizzlies, will appear in Whitman County Superior Court on July 13, according to Pullman Radio News.

Strong allegedly beat 23-year-old Bradley “Wyatt”” Meyring after an altercation at a party, leaving him with a fractured skull and hematoma. While three men allegedly took part in the attack, Strong was the only suspect publicly identified.

Strong claimed he had been breaking up a fight when Meyring hit him at the party earlier in the night. Witnesses of the attack said Meyring put his hands up in an attempt to show the perpetrators he did not want to fight. Strong also claimed the attack was in self-defense.

Montana released a statement in the days following the attack, which said Strong was suspended for two games for code of conduct violations.

If convicted, Strong could face three to 12 months in prison and fines of up to $20,000 for his first offense, with the sentence jumping to a possible maximum of 10 years for any future offenses of the same nature.