Cheerleading team suspended; cheerleader says anonymous letter alleged prostitution

[eznutz]

The Coastal Carolina University cheerleading team has been suspended indefinitely pending a conduct investigation, according to a statement from a university official.

A cheerleader who spoke on the condition of anonymity said an investigator with the CCU Department of Public Safety came to their practice Wednesday night. The cheerleader said the investigator explained to the team an anonymous letter was mailed to school president David DeCenzo on March 7 alleging that team members were involved in “a long list of things,” including prostitution, purchasing alcohol for underage team members, and paying others to complete their homework assignments.

According to the cheerleader, the team was met by police outside the HTC Center after practice, who called the names of individual team members, and took them to CCU’s police station for questioning. During the questioning, the cheerleader said police searched through their cell phones. She said officers then told them they could leave around 11 p.m., after telling them they did nothing wrong.

http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/35034...eam-suspended-pending-a-conduct-investigation

 

[Aardvark154]

I'm certain that I'm preaching to the choir when I say that the suspension is nauseating, further that there may be Constitutional violations in the conduct of the University Police.

That said I presume that the University is principally concerned with the allegations of purchasing alcohol for minors, and cheating (paying others to write term papers etc. . .)

 

[shack]

Damn. All those trips I took to Myrtle Beach. Wish I would have known.

 

[Indiana]

Give me an F !

 

[Aardvark154]

Oh, oh, oh, I didn't notice this at first. They were scheduled to compete in a national championship next week.

So given the actions of the Administration of this University, what a fantastic way to knock a team out of the competition, just send an anonymous letter making accusations of prostitution, purchasing alcohol for minors, and academic cheating.

 

[LeeHelm]

I'm certain that I'm preaching to the choir when I say that the suspension is nauseating, further that there may be Constitutional violations in the conduct of the University Police.

That said I presume that the University is principally concerned with the allegations of purchasing alcohol for minors and of underage team members, and cheating (paying others to write term papers etc. . .)

Explain what the constitution has to do with policies at a university professor.

 

[Aardvark154]

Explain what the constitution has to do with policies at a university professor.

See a possible law suit in these case facts? "The team was met by police outside the HTC Center [the gym] after practice, who called the names of individual team members, and took them to CCU’s police station for questioning. During the questioning, the cheerleader said police searched through their cell phones. She said officers then told them they could leave around 11 p.m., after telling them they did nothing wrong."

We are getting only one side of the story but seemingly they dragged them off without really giving them a chance of saying no.* Then they conducted a warrantless search of their cell phones (not just one cell phone but seemingly as many as 35 cell phones), they then get through all this and say, oh there is no evidence you are free to go.

Now it may not be quite this bad, possibly they did say you don't have to come with us but even if they did, in this situation did the cheerleaders feel that they were able to refuse without consequence?

Further the probable cause of the police is an anonymous letter, nothing further at all.

This looks damn heavy handed on the part of the University Police. Frankly I hope there is a parent or civil liberties organization who file a civil suit.

* Not enough detail in the articles I've seen but there certainly seems the possibility that this was in fact a seizure (arrest) within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment: i.e a reasonable person would have believed that they were not free to leave.

 

[GPIDEAL]

I agree with Aardie, especially since I would think that University Police have less powers than State or City Police, no?

 

[Aardvark154]

I agree with Aardie, especially since I would think that University Police have less powers than State or City Police, no?

It depends upon what the law is in South Carolina. In some states members of University Police Departments go through the same police academy as municipal police and have the same powers. In other states you are correct that they have lesser powers.

 

[OnTheWayOut]

Damn. All those trips I took to Myrtle Beach. Wish I would have known.

I was there for 5 weeks in 2012 ..... so they were too young then. Too bad. Not that it was hard to find good companionship ...... those who say hobbying in the US is difficult do not research well. I had a blast.

 

[IM469]

I don't think there was anything in the rehearsals that would draw any attention ....

 

[Smallcock]

Why would they be suspended? Aren't all the things they're accused of par for the course for practically all cheerleading squads?

 

[glamphotographer]

Soo....aahh....which girl is it?

 

[radagast]

The Coastal Carolina University cheerleading team has been suspended indefinitely pending a conduct investigation, according to a statement from a university official.

A cheerleader who spoke on the condition of anonymity said an investigator with the CCU Department of Public Safety came to their practice Wednesday night. The cheerleader said the investigator explained to the team an anonymous letter was mailed to school president David DeCenzo on March 7 alleging that team members were involved in “a long list of things,” including prostitution, purchasing alcohol for underage team members, and paying others to complete their homework assignments.

According to the cheerleader, the team was met by police outside the HTC Center after practice, who called the names of individual team members, and took them to CCU’s police station for questioning. During the questioning, the cheerleader said police searched through their cell phones. She said officers then told them they could leave around 11 p.m., after telling them they did nothing wrong.

http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/35034...eam-suspended-pending-a-conduct-investigation

My personal opinion, without knowing anything about the case:

yes...yes...no...no...yes...no...yes...yes...yes...

Individual results may vary. Do not attempt without medical supervision.

 

[GPIDEAL]

I don't think there was anything in the rehearsals that would draw any attention ....

OMG where did you find that GIF above lol. (Nice).