Documents show why MSU Police wanted football staffer Curtis Blackwell charged with a crime

Posted: 7:37 AM, Jul 21, 2017
Updated: 2017-07-21 13:41:47Z

A police reported released to FOX 47 News under the Freedom of Information Act shows MSU Police Department detectives wanted former football staff member Curtis Blackwell charged with interfering with their sex-assault investigation.

The detectives were looking into reports that 3 now-former football players, later identified as Josh King, Donnie Corley and Demetric Vance, sexually assaulted a woman at a party at the University Village apartments in January.

The documents show Blackwell admitted discussing the allegations with multiple players, football staff members and at least one player's father. The names and other information were redacted from the report.

The detectives say Blackwell acknowledged knowing that he was required to report any information about potential sexual misconduct and sex crimes to police and to the MSU Office of Institutional Equity. Blackwell did not do so.

The report says he told police, "I felt like it had been reported." That led detectives to arrest him for interfering with a police investigation and an Office of Institutional Equity investigation.

The Ingham County Prosecutor's office eventually filed sex-assault charges against King, Corley and Vance but chose not to charge Blackwell with a crime. No explanation has been given.

The three players were suspended when the investigation started and kicked off the team once they were charged. They were expelled from the University once the Title IX investigation was completed.

King is charged with 1st Degree and 3rd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct and faces a life sentence if convicted. Corley and Vance are charged with 3rd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct and could get up to 15 years if convicted.

They're due back in court for a preliminary examination on September 21.