OSG High: 7 Charged In Sayreville Hazing Case

((HT: NJ.com/Stanmyre, Epstein))

Matthew Stanmyre has been all over this disturbing case since the beginning and now we have the next step where 7 Sayreville (NJ) High players have now been charged as the hazing allegations have turned into detentions for 6 while one is still being sought.

And this is messy...

From the article:

According to Prosecutor Andrew Carey, three were charged with aggravated sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, conspiracy to commit aggravated criminal sexual contact, criminal restraint, and hazing for engaging in an act of sexual penetration upon one of the juvenile victims. One of those defendants and four others were charged with various counts including aggravated assault, conspiracy, aggravated criminal sexual contact, hazing and riot by participating in the attack of some of the victims.

According to the complaints filed in the matter, one or more of the players held victims against their will, while others improperly touched victims in a sexual manner. In one case, one of the victims was kicked during an attack, said the prosecutor's office.

Those found guilty would have to register as sexual offenders, but none of the player's names have been released since they're all under the age of 18. Jail time could be substantial- even for juveniles in the case and no coaches or school supervisors were charged yet.

Prevailing opinion is that head coach George Najjar did not know about the alleged hazing in the locker room. Regardless, Najjar may not survive as head coach because of the huge responsibility that goes with the head coaching title.

Asked about the scandal, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said that “if these facts as alleged are true, then this is a nightmare for the parents of those young men and it tells us something about the attitude that was allowed to pervade in that program. And both of those things need to be addressed.”

Here's the latest from War Memorial High
((HT: CBS New York))

DEVELOPING: Donnan Found Not Guilty On 41 Counts

((HT: AJC/Tucker))

Jim Donnan was found not guilty on 41 counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and securities fraud in his case in and around Greg Crabtree's GLC Holdings. GLC sold out-dated and closed-out merchandise out of a West Virginia warehouse and promised investors a big return. But GLC eventually would pay early investors with later investor dollars.

Thus, the prosecution's thoughts that GLC was a Ponzi scheme and that Donnan was at the heart of it. A lot of high-profile coaches, athletes, and boosters were brought into GLC by Donnan's relationships with them through collegiate athletics like Frank Beamer and Billy Gillispie.

Donnan's attorneys said that Crabtree was the one in charge of the whole thing as the business lost over $20-million overall.

Here's part of the Joyce Oscar story that compared Donnan to a sports-version of Bernie Madoff from 2011
((HT: Southern Free Press))


From Tucker:

Jury foreman Artis Ricks said, “Mr. Donnan was as big a victim in this as some of the investors.”
Ricks said the government did not prove its case against Donnan.
“I just never saw that smoking gun that proved his guilt,” he said
On the way out of the courthouse Donnan told reporters, “I feel vindicated, and I hope I can get my life back.”

Crabtree pled guilty to one count of "conspiracy to commit fraud in the sale of a security."
He could get five years in prison when he is sentenced in Athens on June 24th...

Crittenton's Gang Ties Questioned All Over Again

((HT: ESPN))

Not that this is a complete shock or anything...

With former NBA'er Javaris Crittenton in an Atlanta jail awaiting his trial on charges of murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to deal marijuana and cocaine, not to mention two more indictments that have even more charges attached.

He was indicted in April of 2013 on a 12-count indictment with his cousin Douglas Gamble in the murder of Julian Jones and the attempted murder of another individual. Jones was murdered in August of 2011 when she was walking with Trontavious Stephens, a known member of the "ROC Crew" street gang. Crittenton and Gamble fired several shots at Stephens but hit Jones instead.

It was widely thought that Jones was not the target, but was the member of the party walking along the street that was hit by the gunfire.
Deputy DA Gabe Banks said at the time that Crittenton was a member of the "Mansfield Gangster Crips" and a member of the gang (or "not" depending on if you ask the person ESPN linked to the Crips) denied Crittenton's involvement with the Crips themselves. But if gang activity can be linked to a case, it may be easier to introduce gang-related evidence... Here's John Barr's handiwork in the Crittenton update:

Hernandez Cousin Tanya Singleton Posts Bail

((HT: My Fox Boston))

An FYI to add to your files...

A cousin of former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, Tanya Singleton, finally posted on a $15,000 cash bail (with conditions including wearing a GPS monitor) after being in jail since August. She has pleaded not guilty to charges of "criminal contempt" and "conspiracy to commit accessory after the fact."

Prosecutors charged her with contempt for refusing to testify before a grand jury despite being given immunity for her testimony. The conspiracy charge alleges she aided two Hernandez associates who have pleaded not guilty to accessory to murder after the fact.

One of those incidents was allegedly helping an associate of Hernandez's, Ernest Wallace, leave Massachusetts before he was found by police in Florida. It is also alleged that Singleton talked to Carlos Ortiz, another friend of Hernandez's, about fleeing to Puerto Rico and she allegedly paid for a cell phone for Wallace when he left the state...

Here's the story at the time of her bail hearing in August...
Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

Singleton's next court appearance is set for February 27th.

4 More Charged In Steubenville Rape Case

((HT: WTRF-TV))

The Steubenville High rape case continues to gather depth as four more individuals have been arrested in association with the case where Steubenville football players recorded a rape a 16-year-old on their camera phones, shuttled it around on social media, and were part of a conspiracy to make sure no charges were filed in and around the football team.

Two players, Ma'Lik Richmond and Trent Mays, were convicted in the case and now four more individuals are up on charges after a grand jury investigation. Richmond was convicted of rape and sentenced to a year as a juvenile. Mays was convicted of rape and of using his phone to take a picture of the girl.

He was sentenced to two years in juvenile detention.

A special grand jury had investigated whether coaches and/or school administrators knew of the rape allegation, but failed to report that they knew- and exactly just how much they knew.

Here's the initial results brought forth...

Steubenville City Schools Superintendent Michael McVey has been indicted on five counts:

One count of tampering with evidence - a third degree felony
Two Counts of obstructing justice - a fifth degree felony
One count of falsification, a first degree misdemeanor
One count of obstructing official business, a second degree misdemeanor

McVey could face up to 7 years and 270 days in prison.

The second person is Lynnett Gorman- the principal of West Elementary in Steubenville- was charged with failure to report child abuse, a fourth degree misdemeanor. Gorman could face up to 30 days in jail.

The third is Seth Fluharty- wrestling coach and special education teacher at Steubenville High. He was also charged with failure to report child abuse. Fluharty could serve up to the same 30 day sentence.

The fourth is Matthew Bellardine, a former volunteer coach for the football team, who faces four charges including:

Underage persons offenses concerning ("beer or intoxicating liquor") - a first degree misdemeanor
Obstructing Official Business - a second degree misdemeanor
Falsification - a first degree misdemeanor
Contributing to the unruliness or delinquency of a child - a first degree misdemeanor

Bellardine could serve up to 1 year and 265 days in jail.

Here's the press conference in full with Ohio AG Mike DeWine
WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville

Here's the press release on the findings of the grand jury...

WBGV DE Harris Booted After Robbery Arrest... But It Gets Better

((HT: WVMetroNews))

Suspended defensive lineman Korey Harris was arrested over the weekend on charges of first-degree armed robbery. As a result, he was kicked off the West Virginia football team.

Back on the 12th is when the robbery allegedly happened when it is reported that Harris and two others went into a Morgantown home and held two people at gunpoint- leaving with cash and electronics, according to Morgantown police.

A relative said one of the victims recognized Harris. He was, apparently, wearing his WVU-issued sweatpants with his #96 on them. One of the victims reportedly told police all three intruders were armed and one had dreadlocks and camo pants on at the time...

WBOY-TV in Clarksburg, West Virginia reported Harris was being held on $75,000 bail at the North Central Regional Jail. He is charged with first-degree robbery and conspiracy...

But, since the robbery happened at 5AM, the HQ will continue to reiterate about what goes down after 1AM...

And wearing your school-issued sweats...???
Really...???

Here's Harris at Bartram Trail High School...which was what got him to Morgantown...
((HT: MSNSportsNet))

Spanier Arraigned In Sandusky Case

((HT: WHP-TV))

Graham Spanier, the former president at Penn State appeared in court today facing charges from his alleged involvement in the Jerry Sandusky scandal. He didn't speak to the media. Spanier's attorney, Elizabeth Ainslie, spoke for the both of them on the charges:

“It is absolutely ridiculous. Dr. Spanier was never given a chance to speak to this grand jury to give his side of the story and we look forward to the chance to present his side of the story in the future.”

Here is Spanier walking into court not answering questions...


Spanier was arraigned on charges of:
Endangering the Welfare of Children
Perjury
Obstruction
Criminal Conspiracy, and
Failure to report child abuse

Bond was set at $125,000. But the bond is unsecured, there is no cost involved unless he doesn't show up for his next court date of November 16th. Spanier was also told to forfeit his passport and that he can't leave the state of Pennsylvania.

More when we know more...

Three Pitt CFB Starters Arrested

((HT: KDKA-TV))

Not what new head coach Paul Chryst needed heading into the Notre Dame game or anything...starters whose legal status is in question...

Running back Ray Graham, defensive back Lafayette Pitts and wide receiver Devin Street are all facing charges of assault and conspiracy in connection with an alleged incident on October 21st in the Pittsburgh suburb of Oakland.

A man by the name of Karl Olsheski alleges that the three football players approached and eventually surrounded him while he was walking down the street with two women. The complaint alleges that Graham made a comment toward Olsheski. Street then, allegedly, punched Olsheski in the head.

The three received summonses to appear for a preliminary hearing January 9th. No word from campus if Chryst has (or will) discipline the three leading up to the game tomorrow.

WPXI-TV's story from the early morning is hyah...

More when we know more...