SB Nation Denver - Montana Investigated By U.S. Justice Department Over Sexual Assault Cases

Ex-Montana QB Jordan Johnson's Attorney Requests Records From State

2012-08-21T21:20:16Z

After ex-Montana quarterback Jordan Johnson pleaded not guilty to rape charges earlier in August, a lull occurred in the case as they waited for the court date, which took place on Tuesday. Now, his attorney has requested a large number of records from the alleged rape victim. As reported by The Missoulian, the information being requested by attorney David Paoli includes police records, and a large number of text messages sent between the victim and any witnesses.

Paoli also said that he would request the charges on Johnson to be dropped if all of the information was not received:

"Not only is the state jeopardizing Johnson’s defense by failing to produce discovery, but the state is jeopardizing this court’s deadlines," Paoli wrote. "…Further, if the state does not immediately produce all discovery materials, Johnson requests that the charges against him be dismissed based on the disadvantage that has been created by the state’s failure to produce the requested discovery."

Johnson had been charged with an alleged incident of rape after being asked to come into a woman's room to watch a movie.

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Montana QB Jordan Johnson Pleaded Not Guilty To Rape Charges On Tuesday

2012-08-08T17:37:44Z

On Tuesday, suspended Montana quarterback Jordan Johnson pleaded not guilty to charges of "raping a woman earlier this year after she invited him to her room to watch a movie," as the AP reports via Sports Illustrated.

Johnson entered his plea during an appearance before Judge Karen Townsend in Missoula on a charge of sexual intercourse without consent.

Johnson was released on his own recognizance after being fingerprinted and booked, which is "pretty standard practice" for a defendant who appeared voluntarily in response to a summons, Assistant Chief Deputy Missoula County Prosecutor Suzy Boylan said.

Earlier in 2012, an investigation found that a series of unreported sexual assault allegations had occurred over 18 months at the University of Montana campus, with an unspecified number of those cases involving student-athletes.

Because of the developments, the university is being investigated by the NCAA, the Department of Justice and the Department of Education. Johnson's next court date is set for Aug. 21.

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Montana QB Jordan Johnson Charged With Rape

2012-07-31T23:24:44Z

Montana quarterback Jordan Johnson was charged on Tuesday with rape.

Charges were filed just before the close of business Tuesday in Missoula County District Court by Suzy Boylan, assistant chief deputy county attorney.

In the affidavit, Boylan described a chain of events that began with an exchange of text messages and ended with the alleged rape.

Early in 2012, the University of Montana investigated several sexual assault allegations, some of which included football players. The rape charge against Johnson is a result of an incident from last February

Back in March of 2012, Johnson had a temporary restraining order taken out against him by a Montana student who alleged that he sexually assaulted her.

The University of Montana is currently under investigation by the NCAA as well as the U.S. Justice and Education Departments.

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Montana Football Investigation: NCAA Probe Not Yet Complete

2012-07-30T22:31:09Z

On Monday, the University of Montana received an update from the NCAA on the investigation into the school's football program. The NCAA told Montana President Royce Engstrom that it is still collecting information.

"The review of information in this case is continuing," wrote Julie Roe Lach, the NCAA’s vice-president of enforcement.

"Members of the NCAA enforcement staff are making every effort to complete the necessary interviews to ensure that full information is developed," said Lach’s letter to UM President Royce Engstrom.

The university is also under investigation by the U.S. Justice and Education Departments. Earlier in the year, the school faced a number of sexual assualt allegations involving students, some of whom were football players.

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Mick Delaney Receives 2-Year Contract As Head Coach Of Montana Grizzlies Football

2012-07-26T17:20:08Z

The Montana Grizzlies football team no longer has an interim coach leading them into the 2012 football season after Thursday's news: Mick Delaney has signed a two-year contract with the university to be the head coach. Delaney was named the interim coach in late March when then-head coach Robin Pflugrad did not have his contract renewed.

Delaney, a former Colorado St. Rams assistant coach under Sonny Lubick, received high praise from the university president:

"This is a time to look toward a strong and vibrant future for Grizzly Athletics," said UM President Royce Engstrom. "In Mick Delaney, we have chosen a head coach who will lead us into that future. He is highly motivated himself, but he is also an exceptional motivator of others, including the players, coaches and staff around him. He understands the important role that Grizzly football plays at The University of Montana, and he has quickly earned our trust and respect."

The university has remained quiet on why Pflugrad and then-athletic director Jim O'Day did not have their contracts renewed in March, but it is widely believed to be over the handling of sexual assault investigations that surround several members of the football team. Both sides have reached settlement agreements, but the specific reasons for their dismissals remain unclear.

Montana begins its season on Sept. 1 against South Dakota.

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Montana Reaches Settlements With Fired Coach Robin Pflugrad, AD Jim O'Day

2012-06-11T18:38:48Z

While the University of Montana remains mum on why Grizzlies football head coach Robin Pflugrad and athletic director Jim O'Day were fired in late March, the school has reached a settlement with its former employees in compensation over lost income, reports the Missoulian.

Pflugrad will receive his base salary of $157,000 plus health benefits through Dec. 31, 2012. He will also recoup lost monies from other ventures by receiving an additional $44,500. O'Day comes away with $155,281 for his contract that ends on June 30, 2012. These deals are not unexpected since the topic has been around since early April.

Montana has chosen not to discuss the reason(s) for not renewing the contracts of Pflugrad and O'Day, but it is widely suspected to deal with the current sexual assault scandal that has involved past and present players on the football team. The NCAA is currently investigating the Montana football program.

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2012 Montana Football: University Acknowledges NCAA Investigation

2012-06-01T22:17:46Z

In the latest in a string of troubling news for the University of Montana, the school has admitted that the NCAA is investigating its football program for unspecified violations.

Montana Associate Commissioner of Higher Education Kevin McRae writes in a statement, "In consultation today with the NCAA, and at the request of KECI, the University leadership has decided to make public the fact that an investigation is under way."

McRae says the decision was made in the interest of responsiveness and transparency.

The NCAA letter orders athletes, employees and administrators to fully comply with the investigation.

The NCAA sent Montana a Notice of Inquiry on Jan. 30, 2012 -- that can be read here (pdf).

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Montana Football 2012: Jordan Johnson Still A Part Of Grizzlies Football

2012-05-29T20:10:40Z

While the University of Montana continues to deal with the fallout from firing its head coach and athletic director back in March and the U.S. Department of Justice's investigation over the sexual assault scandal there, the football team still has quarterback Jordan Johnson on the roster:

Kevin McRae from the Montana University System told me that Griz QB Jordan Johnson remains a part of the football program. #UMGrizzlies_FB
— Craig Haley (@CraigHaley) May 29, 2012

Johnson had been suspended and held out for a portion of spring practice following accusations of sexual assault against him. He returned late in spring practice to the field.

Johnson is one of several members of the Montana football program that has been accused of sexual assault, which has brought a scandal to the university as well as questions as to how the investigations were conducted.

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