MINNEAPOLIS — Two University of Minnesota wrestlers have been released from jail after a decision by the Hennepin County Attorney's Office that no criminal charges can be brought at this time.
The U of M released a statement regarding the update from the Hennepin County Attorney's Office: "In light of today's Hennepin County Attorney decision, the suspension will remain in place for both student athletes while the criminal investigation continues, as outlined in the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct."
The two athletes were arrested over the weekend on probable cause criminal sexual conduct after allegations against them. KARE 11 has not named the two as they were not criminally charged, and will not be, at least for the foreseeable future.
In a statement late Tuesday morning, however, Hennepin County prosecutors insist that the investigation remains active and that the County Attorney's Office will continue to work closely with Minneapolis Police Department investigators and review all evidence that comes in over the next 90 days.
The prosecutor's office says there will be no further comment on the matter.
Still, the case has to leave U of M Athletics administrators uneasy, as it is just the latest example of alleged inappropriate conduct by Gopher athletes. In December of 2016 a group of 10 U of M football players was suspended for their roles in a sexual incident in an on-campus apartment. Hennepin County prosecutors declined to press charges in that case as well, but the U of M took its own disciplinary action against the student athletes.
In January of 2016 Gophers basketball star Reggie Lynch was suspended, and eventually faced expulsion after three women accused him of sexual assault.