Incoming Illinois freshman Ibrahim Halsey and five others, all from Elizabeth, N.J., were charged with aggravated sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl last Saturday at the Royal Hawaiian Motel in North Wildwood, N.J., according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Halsey, an 18-year-old running back, posted $50,000 bail and was released from Cape May County (N.J.) Jail. Halsey, Michael Bruscianelli, 18, Emanual C. Disporto Jr., 18, and Steven Obando, 20, all also were charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Two juveniles also were charged.
The Press reported police said the suspects met the 14-year-old in North Wildwood and invited her and a 13-year-old friend to their motel room, where alcohol was given to the victim. The 13-year-old left shortly thereafter, before the alleged assault took place, according to police.
“We’re going to investigate the situation,” coach Ron Turner told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “When something like this happens there are a lot of rumors going around. We have to make sure we wait until all the details come out.”
Halsey, a running back who rushed for 1,303 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior, was considered one of Turner’s top recruits when he signed.
In another incident, junior defensive end Derrick Strong was arrested early Wednesday and charged with burglary, a felony, after allegedly taking a bar sign from the R&R Sports Bar and Grill in Champaign. Strong, projected to be a starter, was released on bail.
