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Word started to leak out early Sunday evening that a Notre Dame player was in trouble with the law and by Monday morning it was confirmed that rising redshirt sophomore Will Mahone was arrested over the weekend in Austintown, Ohio near his hometown.
The South Bend Tribune has a fairly detailed report of the incident:
According to the police report filed by the Austintown Police Department, officers arrived on the scene about 10:30 p.m., Saturday after being called to respond to a fight. Officers observed about 20 people in the street pointing to a driveway on the north side of Rita Avenue.
Some of them told police Mahone was highly intoxicated and head-butting and punching vehicles as well as trying to fight several people.
Police say an officer advised Mahone to calm down and get on the ground, to which Mahone responded with, "(Expletive), white boy." Police say an officer then took Mahone to the ground, but he repeatedly resisted arrest.
Once Mahone finally was able to be handcuffed, police claim, he responded, "(Expletive), you white piece of (expletive). Takes these cuffs off and I'll kill you. I'll (expletive) kill you."
As Mahone was being led to the cruiser, police allege, he began to scream and shout and tried to pull away. Mahone is further accused of whipping his head back in an aggressive manor, striking a police officer on his forehead.
Police accuse Mahone of trying to kick police after they again took him to the ground. At that point, an officer drive-stunned Mahone to gain compliance. As he was being taken to the cruiser, Mahone is accused of continually yelling, "Take these cuffs off, and I'll kill all of you."
Once placed in the cruiser, Mahone allegedly violently kicked the window in the back seat of the cruiser and had to be drive-stunned again. While police were outside interviewing witnesses, Mahone allegedly began to spit on the windows and the seats of the cruiser, at which time a spit net was applied over Mahone's head.
When Mahone was told he was being transported to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Austintown to have a laceration on his left eye examined, Mahone allegedly responded, "Good, get me out of these cuffs and I'll kill you and all them bitches there."
As the behavior escalated, the officer rerouted to Mahoning County Justice Center for incarceration. Mahone is accused of then stating to the officer, ‘Bro, when I get out, I got a Glock 9 for your (expletive)," referring to a handgun.
When Mahone arrived at MCJC, he was seen by medical staff and refused admittance. He was then transported to St. Elizabeth's, where he was escorted to the emergency room for observation.
There he allegedly continued to scream obscenities at officers and hospital staff. He then was taken to MCJC for incarceration.
According to the police report Mahone faces 5 charges, including 3 felonies:
- Assault of a police officer (felony)
- Intimidation of a public servant/party official (felony)
- Vandalism of a government entity (felony)
- Resisting arrest (misdemeanor)
- Disorderly conduct (misdemeanor)
Mahone is expected to be arraigned this afternoon while the University of Notre Dame issued the following statement:
"The University is aware of this incident and is confident that it will be handled in a prompt and professional manner through the criminal justice system. Internal discipline is handled privately, in accord with our own policies and federal law."
While it is only right to preach patience as more facts emerge this does not look good for Will Mahone and his future at Notre Dame. Even if some of the charges are pleaded down and/or dropped this is still a very ugly incident to say nothing of the very serious nature of the charges if they in fact do remain.
Mahone was recruited as a running back in the 2012 class and took a redshirt during his first year on campus. Prior to last season he injured his ankle, had surgery, and missed the whole campaign. Now since moved to slot receiver he was still looking to crack the two deep heading into 2014 before his arrest on Saturday night.
We may have to wait some time before Mahone learns his fate with school and the football program. Once his case makes its way through the justice system he'll then have to meet with Notre Dame's Office of Community Standards and see if there is a future for him in South Bend. We will provide any updates to the story as they emerge.
EDIT at 6:10 PM ET:
Will Mahone has been suspended indefinitely from all football-related activities.
Univ. of Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly has suspended junior WR Will Mahone indefinitely from all football-related activities.
— Michael Bertsch (@NDsidBertschy) June 16, 2014