Michigan State police submits requests for arrest warrants in sexual assault investigation

The Ingham County prosecutor's office asked police Thursday afternoon to provide more information before deciding whether or not to issue arrest warrants for members of Michigan State football team involved in a sexual assault investigation.

The Michigan State University police department submitted a request for four arrest warrants related to the investigation. Three of the warrants were for sexual assault and the fourth was for a non-sexual crime related to the investigation.

"Detectives from the Michigan State University Police Department have conducted a thorough and professional investigation of this incident," prosecutor Carol Siemon said in a statement Thursday afternoon. "I have asked the MSU Police Department to continue that investigation and submit to our office additional information and evidence. Upon the review of those materials, I will determine a charging decision in this matter."

Michigan State suspended three players and one staff member last week pending the results of the investigation. The three players were evicted from student housing.

The university confirmed that recruiting director Curtis Blackwell was on a paid suspension earlier this week but declined to say whether that suspension was related to the assault investigation. The three players under investigation have not been named.

The athletic department also announced last week that it has hired an independent law firm to review the football program's Title IX compliance in dealing with the alleged assault.