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Two Rutgers football players have been suspended after being arrested by college police early this morning after what coach Greg Schiano called “an incident involving a paintball gun”.
Cornerbacks Chris Long and Malachi “Max” Melton have been charged with aggravated assault and illegal possession of a weapon, according to city court records reviewed by NJ Advance Media. The incident happened on Monday evening, according to records, and the players were taken into custody on Tuesday.
“I have been informed that Chris Long and Malachi Melton were taken into custody early this morning following an incident involving a paintball gun,” Schiano said in a statement. “Both players were suspended immediately.”
Under New Jersey law, a person can be convicted of aggravated assault in several ways. Here are the most common:
– Causing or attempting to cause serious bodily harm to another individual intentionally, knowingly or in circumstances showing extreme indifference to the value of human life;
– Causing or attempting to cause bodily harm to another person with a lethal weapon;
– Recklessly causing bodily harm to another person with a lethal weapon;
– Point a firearm at or in the direction of another person, whether it is loaded or unloaded;
– Committing a simple assault against a government employee, such as a police officer.
Aggravated assault is a felony in New Jersey punishable by various prison terms:
– Fourth degree: up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $ 10,000;
– Third degree: 3 to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $ 15,000;
– Second degree: 5 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $ 150,000;
Common assault usually involves threats or attempts to harm another person or attacks that cause minor injuries. Aggravated assault is most often used in cases of serious injury or when a weapon is used.
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Rutgers Police have yet to respond to an NJ Advance Media OPRA file requesting the incident report.
Melton has started all three games this season and has been one of Rutgers’ best defensive players with two interceptions and a blocked punt. Long played in all three games on special teams. Their availability for Saturday’s game at Michigan’s No.19 is in doubt.
If Melton doesn’t play against the Wolverines, it will be a big blow to Rutgers’ secondary. His absence would leave Tre Avery and Kessawn Abraham in the upper corners of the team and likely impact the defensive packages used by the Scarlet Knights. Cornerback Patrice Rene, a transfer to North Carolina, missed the first three games of the season with injury. It is not known if he will be ready to play this weekend.
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James Kratch can be contacted at [email protected].
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