3 freshmen IU football players named in probable cause affidavit

Three IU football players were named in a probable cause affidavit stemming from a robbery Dec. 17, resulting in IU freshman cornerback Cortez Smith's arrest.

Freshmen IU football players Dennis Zeigler, Darius Johnson and Jarrell Drane were all named in the probable cause affidavit filed Dec. 19.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Smith and the other suspect, Lazell C. McClellon, knocked on the victims' house and stole IDs, wallets, an iPod, marijuana and an Xbox game system.

After police interviewed the victims, they told officers they believed Zeigler was involved in the robbery. Zeigler, who had been at the victims' house prior to the robbery, was "intimidated" and had crawled to the door to shut it, instead of leaving it open for witnesses to see, according to the affidavit.

Initially Zeigler denied involvement.

Officers went to Zeigler's apartment and noticed two men, one who matched the description of the suspect. McClellon, who was at Zeigler's house, gave officers a fake name at the time.

Officers transported Zeigler to the Bloomington Police Department to question him. Zeigler was initially hesitant telling officers the truth because he didn't want to be a "snitch," according to the affidavit.

Zeigler told officers that the two suspects were Smith and a guy he knew as "Elz" – later identified as McClellon. Zeigler told officers that McClellon was a friend of Johnson's. McClellon told Zeigler that night he wanted to rob someone and asked him if he knew anyone that they could rob. Zeigler told him that there two people in the apartment building complex that would probably have marijuana, according to the affidavit.

Zeigler told officers that he then called Smith who came to assist the robbery. The three men came up with a plan that would place Zeigler in the apartment as a victim, according to the affidavit.

After the robbery, the men went back to Johnson's apartment to trash the items they stole.

Officers arrived at Johnson's apartment, to which Drane answered the door. Officers were let in and saw McClellon in the apartment. After telling McClellon they knew he was involved in the robbery and that he originally lied about his name, they attempted to arrest him. McClellon initially resisted, but was arrested. Throughout questioning, Johnson refused to give officers McClellon's real name, according to the affidavit.

While questioning McClellon, he finally gave officers his real name and told them he had open drug cases in Michigan. He denied involvement of the robbery. McClellon faces charges of robbery resulting in bodily injury, burglary, resisting law enforcement and battery resulting in bodily injury, according to the affidavit.

Smith was later arrested and faces charges of burglary and robbery. Smith was suspended indefinitely Friday.

“(Smith) faces serious allegations of misconduct that in my opinion require immediate action,” IU coach Bill Lynch said in a statement.  “As a result, I have suspended him indefinitely from all team activities, pending the legal resolution of this matter.”

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