Former Ohio State running back Brian Snead was dismissed from the university in November following a university investigation for a rape that was reported in September, according to a report by The Lantern's Edward Sutelan on Wednesday.
Though criminal charges were not filed, the university determined that Snead violated Ohio State's code of conduct on charges of "non-consensual sexual intercourse and non-consensual sexual contact," according to The Lantern. He was dismissed from the university on Nov. 27 due to the ruling.
During the investigation, Snead was allowed to practice with the Buckeyes, but he was suspended from games.
The rape was alleged to have happened at Worthington Building on Sept. 11, and a report was filed on Sept. 13 by Ohio State assistant compliance director and deputy Title IX coordinator Molly Peirano, per The Lantern. An "unknown person from Ohio State athletics" – not the victim – contacted Peirano to report the rape, according to the report.
“Ohio State does not tolerate sexual assault,” Ohio State spokesman Ben Johnson said in a statement to The Lantern. “The safety and well-being of our community is our first priority. In this case, the individual was found in violation of our code of student conduct and removed from the university.”
Johnson told The Lantern “the survivor chose not to press charges and did not want contact with police,” so the police investigation was closed.
Ohio State confirmed Snead was no longer on the team on Jan. 18, but did not provide a reason why at the time. When asked about Snead's status on Dec. 19 and 29, Ryan Day said he did not have an update. By that time, per The Lantern, Snead was no longer attending the university.
After playing in the first two games of last season, Snead did not travel with the team to its third game of the year against TCU, due to what Urban Meyer termed "disciplinary reasons." Snead remained suspended for games for the remainder of the season. However, Ohio State allowed him to practice during the ongoing investigation. He returned to practice the week after missing the TCU game.
The Lantern requested comment from Meyer and Day, but the university responded in their place.
Snead played 25 offensive snaps in the first two games of the 2018 season, picking up 37 yards and a touchdown on 11 rushes. The Florida native entered the program as a four-star recruit and the third-ranked running back in his class.
Snead is currently enrolled at Iowa Western Community College, but is looking to continue his college football career at another Division I school in 2020.
