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Four Purdue football players will not face charges in alleged sexual assault case

Posted at 2:59 PM, Nov 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-16 20:48:25-05

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The four Purdue University football players accused of sexual assault  by two students will not face criminal charges, according to the Tippecanoe County Prosecutor's Office.

In a letter sent to Purdue and various media outlets written by the law firm Massillamany & Jeter, the assault is alleged to have happened Oct. 13 at an off-campus house where the players lived.

The law firm said the two women reported the incident to both the school authorities and the West Lafayette Police Department.

The prosecutor's office released a statement Wednesday afternoon:

The Tippecanoe County Prosecutors Office received and reviewed West Lafayette Police Case Report 2016-004150.  West Lafayette Police conducted a thorough investigation, and were able to have the cooperation of all individuals involved.  No criminal charges were filed after a review of the evidence.

The Hamilton County-based law firm is calling on Purdue to hold expulsion proceedings against the players.

RELATEDFour Purdue football players accused of sexual assault

"School officials must move quickly to hold these players accountable for their actions and show these victims that their voices are being heard,” Mario Massillamany, a partner in the firm, said in the letter.  “Purdue and other schools have an obligation to send a message that this type of activity will not be tolerated."

The attorneys said a third student has come forward, claiming to have been the target of similar actions.

The law firm also said three of the four players have been previously charged, although some of the charges were dropped. It says Purdue has suspended the players from the team, but they're still attending classes.

A call to Purdue's assistant vice president of strategic communications was not immediately answered or returned.