Aidan Ralph, the former Iowa State Cyclones linebacker, faces up to 12 years in prison for physically and sexually assaulting his girlfriend in December. The Athletic reported on the charges citing documents filed in Story County Court on Wednesday.
According to the report, the 20-year-old Chicago footballer is accused of shoving his girlfriend of three years down the stairs. The shove caused aa stress fracture to her spine. The linebacker then allegedly sexually assaulted her.
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Ralph has been charged with third-degree sexual assault – a class C felony in Iowa. It will carry 10 years of prison term, while the domestic abuse assault – a serious misdemeanor – adds another two years to his sentence.
Iowa State Cyclones dismissed Ralph from the team on Thursday. He was initially held in Story County Jail on a $11,000 cash-only bond, which he paid on Wednesday.
Based on a police affidavit, an altercation erupted between Ralph and a woman at approximately 1 a.m. after he accused her of being unfaithful. The affidavit indicated that Ralph’s actions caused the woman to become immobilized, and she implored him to call an ambulance.
However, Ralph refused and purportedly proceeded to sexually assault the woman, ignoring her repeated requests to cease his actions.
Following the alleged assault, a non-contact order was issued. It remains unclear whether Ralph has legal representation who could speak on his behalf. According to the Associated Press, attempts to reach the Iowa public defender’s office in Story County on Thursday resulted in automatic disconnection of the calls.
