3 University of Minnesota Football Players Accused of Rape Remain in Custody

MINNEAPOLIS – Three University of Minnesota football players who remained jailed over the Easter holiday weekend after being accused by an 18-year-old woman of rape at an off-campus apartment building could be charged Monday.

Bail for Alex Daniels, 20, Keith Massey, 20 and E.J. Jones, 19, was set at $100,000, according to a Star Tribune report. Prosecutors have until noon Monday to file charges against them before they are released. Charges can still be filed at a later time, University Police Chief Greg Hestness told the Tribune.

Click here to read the full report and for pictures of the suspects.

The Hennepin County attorney's office will get its first look at the case on Monday. The three players so far have not been charged with any crime.

The alleged rape occurred late Tuesday or early Wednesday at an off-campus apartment where the players live. The victim, whose identity was not released, is not a student at the university and did not live in the apartments. She was later examined at an area hospital.

Hestness told the Tribune the players were booked on "criminal sexual conduct in the third degree. And that usually does involve penetration, nonconsensual penetration," according to the Tribune.

Daniels is listed as a 6-foot-3, 255-pound defensive end who came to the Gophers as a highly touted linebacker from Columbus, Ohio; Massey is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound cornerback from Columbus; and E.J. Jones is a 5-foot-9, 185-pound running back from Edwardsville, Ill.

Coach Tim Brewster immediately suspended the players Friday until the investigation is complete. The allegations come on the eve of the team's spring intrasquad game.

"Obviously, this is disappointing news for any coach to receive," Brewster said. "There is an ongoing investigation and we will cooperate fully with law enforcement on this matter."

The woman did not report the incident until Friday, which according to Hestness is not uncommon. She flagged down a university officer who was on patrol to report the rape.

"It's really not uncommon for victims of sexual assault to delay reporting," he told the Tribune. "It's a difficult decision for a lot of women."

This is Brewster's first season as the Gophers' head coach. He replaced Glen Mason, who was fired after 10 seasons with Minnesota.

Brewster spent the last two seasons as the tight ends coach with the Denver Broncos, and also served as an assistant with the San Diego Chargers and in college under Mack Brown at Texas and North Carolina.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.