Six members of PSU’s Women’s Rugby team have been arrested since Monday, Oct. 29. Charges vary from player to player, and will lead to appearances in court and processing through PSU’s judicial program.
The Plymouth State University Office of Public relations confirmed that six veteran players were arrested; Ashley Clark, Tracie McMahon, Melissa DuHamel, Samantha Ralph, Meghan Jenkins and Christine Leiper.
According to an email Dick Hage, the Vice President of Student Affairs, sent out on Oct. 30, the day after the women were arrested, “Recent tips from several students led to the arrests of five Plymouth State University students last evening for alleged illegal activities.”
“The arrests, and charges are public information. The charges associated with these arrests vary among the students and include hazing, facilitating an underage drinking party, prohibited sales of alcoholic beverages, possession of controlled/narcotic drugs, and simple assault,” Hage wrote.
The administration was made aware of the allegations on the week of Oct. 20, nine days before the first arrests were made, “We wanted to make sure we understood completely what happened and what students did it [took part in hazing],” Williams said.
When the email was sent out, only five arrests had been made. A sixth arrest was made between Oct. 30 and Nov. 3.
“The Email was sent out to make [the campus] aware of the situation,” Chris Williams, PSU’s Director of Public Relations said, “We will share information as it is relevant to the campus,” he added. Williams added that the University is working for a “Fair and due process as well as privacy.”
As of now, the women are merely facing hazing charges and have not been convicted of any crime.
The arrests and subsequent charges of the women stemmed from several former player’s complaints, “This investigation was the result of students coming forward,” Williams said, “This made us aware of actions on campus. Hazing is serious and not the sort of action we will tolerate,” Williams added.
Williams could not confirm how many former Rugby players came forward with allegations, only saying, “More than two, I would say several students.”
Williams could not confirm or deny whether the arrested players were still attending PSU, “Any student arrested and charged with any crime is subject to judicial process, with a range of sanctions up to expulsion,” Williams said.
Bobbi Watkins, Coordinator of the PSU judicial Programs could not comment on the case, “It is not appropriate for me to discuss any information related to potential cases that may go through our conduct process,” Watkins said
Affidavits and arrest warrants were sealed by Plymouth District Court as a means of keeping the integrity of the case. The case is still considered an ongoing investigation, and the criminal complaints have not yet been drafted or released to the Plymouth District Court for public access as of press time.
The team itself has suffered due to the arrests of the six players, the team’s University funding was stopped.
“My office has frozen their account until whatever matters surrounding those arrests are cleared up. While they are innocent until proven guilty, it is smart risk management on the part of my office to make sure that school funds aren’t available for any potentially illicit behavior while they remain under a cloud of suspicion,” Phil Atkinson of Student Accounting said.
“The rugby season is over, and yes, they are still recognized as a club sport,” Jose Gonzalez, Director of Recreational Sports said.
In a statement released by Ashley Smith in regards to the situation, she states: “On or about October 23, at 7:50pm, 2008, officers of the Plymouth & Campus Police Department unceremoniously removed some items of personal property. I and other members of the Plymouth State Women’s Rugby Football Club were arrested for a variety of misdemeanor and violation level offenses. Although I requested copies of arrest reports and copies of affidavits supporting any warrant for search or arrest, I have yet to be provided with any information regarding this case.
It is my view that no criminal activity occurred and that the Plymouth State Women’s Rugby Football Club is being singled out for this type of treatment, something that is very bothersome. The Plymouth State Women’s Rugby Football Club, as student athletes, have a history of interscholastic competition at a very high level.
It is interesting to note that my conditions of bail included one, which is fairly abnormal. I was prohibited from consuming any alcohol, despite the fact that I was not charged with any offenses involving the consumption of alcoholic beverages by me. Over the past weekend, I was sitting in my apartment with a male friend watching television, when the Plymouth Police Force knocked on my door in response to a “perceived noise complaint.” Obviously, there was no complaint, since there was no one there. I believe that these officers were merely attempting to subject me to further harassment for no significant reason.
I am very confident that any hearing or trial will result in total and absolute vindication for all members of the team.”
The arraignment for the six members of the Women’s Rugby team will take place on Dec. 22 at the Plymouth District Court. They are innocent unless proven otherwise in a court of law.