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USC Football Player Under Investigation For Two Alleged Sexual Assaults
Police in Los Angeles and Utah are investigating sophomore USC linebacker Osa Masina, 19, in two separate cases of alleged sexual assault. Masina has been suspended from the team for the time being.
Sgt. Dan Bartlett of the Cottonwood Heights Police Department in Utah confirmed that his department is working with the LAPD in the investigation, ESPN reports. The alleged Utah incident occurred on July 30, before Masina, who is originally from the Salt Lake City area, left to attend USC training camp. No charges have been filed at this time, but according to Fox 13, Masina could face charges of rape, forcible sodomy, fondling and "exploitation by telecom." A police report obtained by KTLA indicates that a victim did complete a rape kit. Masina is also under investigation for an alleged incident in Los Angeles, the details of which have not been released. According to Kim Fisher of ABC 4 in Utah, that incident is also an alleged sexual assault.
Here is a piece of the police report from authorities in Utah. USC player Osa Masina accused of rape, sodomy. @KTLA pic.twitter.com/vSxkRs9NnP
— Christina Pascucci (@ChristinaKTLA) August 30, 2016
Copy of the #searchwarrant delivered to #OsaMasina this weekend. pic.twitter.com/GLVFSaVSLN
— Kim Fischer (@ThatKimFischer) August 30, 2016
USC released the following statement:
USC is aware of the investigation involving student-athlete Osa Masina. USC is cooperating fully with authorities in Utah, the lead agency in the investigation. Due to privacy laws and to protect the rights of our students, we are not able to discuss this matter further.
According to Masina's bio, he attended Brighton High School, located in Cottonwood Heights, and was considered a star player.