Prosecutor: Massillon football players' horseplay 'inexcusable' but not criminal

MASSILLON ‒ Tigers football players accused of ripping off a teammate's pants and leaving him naked on the field will not face criminal charges for their actions.

Stark County Prosecutor Kyle Stone issued a statement Tuesday afternoon after his office completed its review of information and reports provided by the Massillon Police Department and met with the player and his family.

While the behavior was "inexcusable," it didn't rise to the level of criminal action, Stone said.

"Upon completion of said review, it is the determination of this office there will be no charges filed against the players seen participating in what has been deemed locker room horseplay that went too far," the prosecutor said in his statement.

However, the prosecutor's office continues its probe into the distribution of a video of the incident, adding it takes "sharing imagery of children in vulnerable states very seriously and will apply the law accordingly."

Massillon Tigers football team probe

The investigation began after a football player was "rushed" by some of his teammates and stripped naked from the waist down June 26 at a school practice facility.

The incident was captured on video and shared with some students, according to police reports released by Massillon police last month following a public records request by the Massillon Independent.

The teen involved told police that while he was mad at the time, he "didn't feel any way towards his friends" after the incident. He and his mother also didn't want to pursue criminal charges.

District officials brought in Massillon police after learning from a parent about a number of incidents that occurred while players were participating in a camp on school property. Multiple players were involved in a number of interactions characterized as horseplay and many were disciplined. Some face suspensions that could lead into the season, which kicks off Aug. 18 at home against powerhouse Valdosta from Georgia.

What is the status of Tiger coach Nate Moore?

The probe also led to Tigers head coach Nate Moore being placed on adminstrative leave with pay on July 13 while officials looked into the supervision of the students. He returned to work July 26.

A review of Moore's district personnel file shows he received a letter of reprimand because students were left unsupervised between June 19 and 26.

"After a formal investigation, it is determined that you did in fact not have scheduled supervision provided for the students athletes on the above-mentioned days," according to the letter, which was provided by the district to The Independent. The paper made a public records request to review Moore's personnel file.

Moore's action were in violation of the Board of Education policy on student supervision and welfare, which indicated "each professional staff member shall maintain a standard of care for the supervision, control and protection of students commensurate with their assigned duties and responsibilities."

Moore was ordered to review the policy and administrative guidelines and must provide a copy of all future team activities and schedules to demonstrate appropriate staff supervision to the principal within a week prior to the team activities.

A message seeking comment was left with district officials.

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.

This article originally appeared on The Independent: No charges against Massillon Tiger football players over player strip