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Four Purdue football players accused of sexual assault

Posted at 12:01 PM, Nov 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-16 16:52:29-05

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Two Purdue University students are accusing four of the school's football players of sexual assault, according to attorneys representing the students.

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

"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.

The four football players will not face criminal charges, according to the Tippecanoe County Prosecutor's Office.

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