WR Albert Dukes - (transfer to Valdosta St.)

[Folanator]

Originally Posted by LightningRod

I agree that Dukes should not have been allowed to play until things were settled. However, the fact that charges were refiled by the victim (not the prosecutor, but the victim) who insisted to police that they be refiled again suggests that the prosector or police either dropped this case or refused to go forward with it. In other words, the matter at some point was resolved in the sense that either the prosecution or the police did not believe there was sufficient evidence to go forward, the victim was not cooperating, was not credible, or any combination of these or other matters.

As a person that has had to deal with psychotic woman in the past, just because they file a lawsuit does not make it truthful. And no, I am not a stalker.

[TheHope18]

exactly! women have lots of power, they can scream rape and you are considered a rapist....so you gotta throw that in too!

[JohnnyCockfight]

Originally Posted by TheHope18

exactly! women have lots of power, they can scream rape and you are considered a rapist....so you gotta throw that in too!

Sounds like we're dealing with a 13-year-old here. Chill out.

The evidence should be pretty convincing one way or the other.

[osugrad21]

Originally Posted by jimotis4heisman

i dont know... ask mr irizarry his ass was out of school and band from university property before his court date was set.

That was a violent offense that happened on campus...also his second violent offense. Big difference when the school removes him to protect the students and their own asses.

[Buckskin86]

http://www.the-ozone.net/football/20...book122304.htm

Dukes in San Antonio: Word surfaced recently that freshman wide receiver Albert Dukes had a scrape with the law last July prior to his enrollment at OSU. The details remain sketchy at this time, but Tressel said today that Dukes is on hand with the team at the present time.

"I just heard about it within the last hour and don't know much about it," said Tressel. "I understand it's something from months or even years ago, but we're doing our homework right now."

[buckzip]

This is mind boggling. There are posters on BN that want to fire JT, or blame every little thing on him. On this board there are people that think JT is God, and can do no wrong. Everytime there is a problem with the team, those people defend JT, and say what would you do? How is it JT fault?

I believe there has to be a middle. I feel JT isn't at fault for what keeps happening, but I also feel he better get this [censored] stopped.
He needs to get some better control, or have assistants do it for him.

I don't know how to stop this, but then again I am not paid over $1M yearly with alot of tools at my disposal either. He should know more about the back ground of whom he is recruiting, and know a little more of what is going on.

I don't know what the real problem is, but there is one, and it is JT, or Geigers job to fix it.

[jwinslow]

I agree. I've stood behind JT this entire time (and especially during this Dukes flamboyancy from our BN-like peers on this thread today) and will continue to do so. However changes need to be made. Examples should be made, and Smith missing this game and possibly costing us a victory and momentum going into next season is a big example. (I think we'll win by running around their dbs and I think Smith could still see playing time next year, just saying what COULD happen).

Someone has to change the tone of this program, so that small freedoms are cut down on until things improve. I don't mean that they have to become a conservative catholic school and wear uniforms to class or anything, but they should have to earn back a few small freedoms. What those should be, I'm not sure. But this team has proven that it is only consistent in making headlines.

That being said, you can't research the history of kids to find out whether or not they are going to have these problems. Dukes sleeping with a minor is an incident that could happen to just about anyone. Clarett on the other hand might have been a player to skip in recruiting. However he didn't do anything that bad, and you can't claim that anyone here saw this coming. Neither did they. Tressel might have known he was a spoiled brat, but I bet we have at least one or two like that on this year's team as well that aren't causing ESPN headlines.

So:

1. AG and JT need to turn the tone of this program around.
2. These are kids we're dealing with.

On a different note:
Does anyone know of many recruits being turned off by teh controversies at OSU? I know Worthington temporarily decommitted, but other than him. B/c if this is causing us to lose any recruits, imagine what it will be like when Fox News is the new network and they finally give the American public what they want: OSU reports taht don't involve the word Clarett. We get [censored]ed at them for dragging on and on, but non-buck-fans hate hearing his name over and over again too.

[Buckskin86]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeFROMscUM

I know Worthington temporarily decommitted,

This is not true. In every update, Worthington says he is "solid" to the Bucks. His dad has counseled him on taking some visits for two reasons, 1) to enjoy this once in a lifetime experience and 2) as a back up plan in case there was some sort of probation resulting from the MoC "stuff". He is not decommitted, no was he ever decommitted.

I am not sure where this stuff comes from? My only thought is because Scout/Insiders lists him as a "soft verbal". It is my understanding they do this with any committed recruit that continues to take visits (regardless of their comments).

http://www.journal-news.com/sports/c...onotes_tc.html

OSU freshman arrested in hometown

By Doug Harris
Cox News Service

SAN ANTONIO — Ohio State University freshman receiver Albert Dukes accompanied the team to Texas for next Wednesday’s Alamo Bowl despite being arrested earlier this week in on a charge involving a minor in his hometown of Belle Glade, Fla.

A detective in the Belle Glade Police Department said Dukes was charged with “a lewd and lascivious sexual act upon a child” and was released after posting bond. The incident took place in July, and the detective said it involved a 13-year-old girl.

Dukes, who was home on break when he arrested, was rated the 24th-best prep receiver in the nation by Insiders.com last year, but he hasn’t played this season.

OSU head coach Jim Tressel said Dukes won’t be disciplined until the staff gets more information.

“I just heard about it within the last hour,” Tressel said before practice Thursday. “I understand it’s something from months or even years ago. But we’re doing our homework right now.”

[jwinslow]

My apologies. I guess I didn't fully understand the situation, or pick my words properly.

However I tried to imply that he was not going to stay at whatever state he is in right now, which happens to be short of being a solid verbal.

Either way, I'm sure we'll land him, I was just curious as to whether or not any other recruits were turned off (perhaps some longshots like Jonathan Stewart, who was probably never really interested anyway) by all of this drama since its pretty hard to hear the other side of the story vs. espin.

[Buckskin86]

My understanding is that the two things that affect recruits the most are 1) potential probation and 2) coaching changes. I don't believe the Troy Smith and/or Dukes situation in of itself would affect a recruits decision. Heck, scUM just had two players suspended (Harrison and Stenvich) and they just had an incredible recruiting month.

The kids we are recruiting have met our coaching staff, our players and they are smart enough to know these are good people. They are also smart enough to know individual player problems happen at every school. Just my $.02.

[jwinslow]

Nice use of the dollar sign.

Yeah, I doubted that the Smith and Dukes thing had much of an effect. I was just curious if the overall effect of Clarett/Ross/Smith, plus every single ESPN broadcast (heck I wouldn't be surprised if the PBA happened to be broadcast from Ohio this year and they brought it up) had any effect.

Hopefully not, and the guys that want to be buckeyes will see past all of it. I'm just curious about the overall perception, and whether it might spoil a few people from even putting OSU on their list at the beginning (as in maybe we'd lose a couple long-shots at the beginning).

Anyway, I'm sure that all we can do is speculate, and I'd agree that my guess would be that those who really are interested in OSU will look into it and see past all of the garbage and not get flustered by a little litter they find along the way (like Smith's incident).

[LightningRod]

Does Geiger send Dukes home? He will not play in the game. I recall Pagac being suspended for the Wisconsin game for a charge of assaualt following a homecoming game even though Pagac ultimately was found not guilty in the trial. This charge seems to be just a tad more serious. On the other hand, the charges against Duke were already withdrawn once suggesting that these charges may be nothing but BS.

Arrested and released, player still with team
Friday, December 24, 2004
Ken Gordon and Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Albert Dukes faces two counts of lewd and lascivious battery.

Ohio State receiver Albert Dukes remained with the Buckeyes in San Antonio today, three days after being arrested and accused of forcing a 12-year-old girl to have oral sex and intercourse with him last summer.

Dukes, 19, a freshman from Belle Glade, Fla., faces two counts of lewd and lascivious battery in Palm Beach County Court. The charges are second-degree felonies. If convicted, each count carries a maximum 15-year prison sentence and $10,000 fine.

Dukes has not played for OSU this season and is expected to redshirt.

A warrant was issued for his arrest earlier this month, and court officials said after Dukes became aware of the warrant, he turned himself in to the Belle Glade police department Tuesday.

Later Tuesday, Dukes pleaded not guilty, posted $2,000 bond and was released. Wednesday, he flew with OSU to San Antonio, where the team will play in the Alamo Bowl.

OSU coach Jim Tressel and athletics director Andy Geiger said they learned of Dukes’ arrest yesterday.

"We don’t know very much about it," Geiger said. "It happened before he was a student here. Whether we send him home or not we haven’t decided yet, but he will not play in the game."

Tressel said, "We’re doing our homework right now."

Dukes was not available for comment. A message left for his mother, Sophia Baldwin of Belle Glade, was not returned.

Dukes is the fifth Buckeyes player to be charged with a crime in the past year, joining Branden Joe, Louis Irizarry, Ira Guilford and A.J. Trapasso. A sixth, Lydell Ross, was investigated but not charged.

In addition, the program is under NCAA investigation based on former player Maurice Clarett’s accusations of academic fraud, cash from boosters and free loaner cars.

On Aug. 11, the alleged victim and her mother gave a statement to Belle Glade police. The Dispatch obtained a copy of the statement yesterday.

In it, Dukes is accused of calling the girl several times in mid-June and early July, meeting her in his car in front of her house. On at least three occasions, the statement says, the girl performed oral sex on Dukes.

On July 4, Dukes allegedly was in the girl’s room and forced her to perform oral sex. The statement said the girl was "behind the door crying," but Dukes then undressed the girl and had sex with her, refusing to stop when she told him no.

Dukes was 18 at the time of the alleged incidents. It is not clear how Dukes knew the alleged victim, though records show they live on the same street.

Under Florida law, the charge of lewd and lascivious battery is for "engaging in sexual activity with a person 12 years of age or older but less than 16."

Police filed a request for a warrant in August and again Dec. 8. Dukes turned himself in while he was home for several days after Ohio State’s last practice in Columbus on Dec. 16.

Dukes’ next court hearing is Feb. 24, 2005

[jimotis4heisman]

http://www.dispatch.com/football/foo...02.html&chck=t
Dukes won’t be taking part in bowl festivities
Saturday, December 25, 2004
Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


SAN ANTONIO — Ohio State freshman receiver Albert Dukes, facing two counts of lewd and lascivious battery in Florida, is under what can best be described as hotel arrest as the Buckeyes prepare for the Alamo Bowl.

"Obviously, we are very concerned," OSU athletics director Andy Geiger said. "Albert Dukes will be attending practice day to day. Other than that, he will be confined to the hotel.

"He will not participate in any of the social events around this bowl game."

Dukes is completing a redshirt year and was not expected to play in the game anyway.

"But he will not dress for the game, either," Geiger said.

Dukes turned himself in and posted bond Tuesday in his hometown of Belle Glade, Fla. The charges stem from his alleged sexual involvement with a 12-year-old girl.

"I have talked with police authorities in his hometown. I understand what’s going on," Geiger said. "He will go home after this is all over and take care of his obligations with regard to the judicial procedures."

Feliz navidad from Texas


Considering they are at the beginning of what could be considered a game week — the Alamo Bowl is only four days away — the Buckeyes will have to put some work in on Christmas day.

"We’ll practice a little earlier and we’ll have a little Christmas luncheon for the guys, and then give them a good bit of the time free," coach Jim Tressel said.

The rest of the afternoon and evening will belong to the players, which should be good timing for many.

"A lot of the guys’ families are coming in Christmas day. I think they could find some great flight packages on Christmas day," Tressel said. "They’ll have the chance to spend really the majority of the day with their families, if they’re here, and if they’re not, then with one another."

All they need for Christmas


Speculation is high that should something happen to starting quarterback Justin Zwick during the bowl game, the coaches might think long and hard about whether to burn freshman backup Todd Boeckman’s redshirt year.

Tressel has made no such declaration, and likely would go with Boeckman unless the problem occurred late in the game. But who is on the depth chart below Boeckman?

"Me," Tressel said, laughing.

Actually, it’s walk-on Ben Kacsandi, 6-foot-1, 210-pound freshman from Wooster. He has seen extensive action the past two days with the scout team, emulating Oklahoma State quarterback Donovan Woods. Yet he probably could handle some basic plays for the Buckeyes.

"It’s not like the NFL where we can go out and get like (Chad) Hutchinson to come in from no team," Tressel said, referring to the way the Chicago Bears signed the out-ofwork former Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback earlier this season.

He’ll be home for Christmas


Tressel said telling Troy Smith he had to stay home from the bowl trip was an emotional moment.

"Absolutely," he said. "It would be like telling one of your children, ‘We’re going on vacation, but you’re not going.’ Of course it hurts."

Smith, who wound up the regular season as OSU’s starting quarterback, was suspended for the bowl game after admitting he accepted an improper benefit from a booster.

tmay@dispatch.com

[WoodyLives]

Dukes is a Damm ChickenHawk....The Girl was only 12?
The laws down here in FL are pretty stiff for doing what Dukes did to a underage child.
Next year he'll be doing his receiving in Broward County Correctional 10x a day.

Originally Posted by brutus2002

The program is out of control. I cannot believe our players are being this [censored]ing stupid.

[LightningRod]

Originally Posted by WoodyLives

Dukes is a Damm ChickenHawk....The Girl was only 12? Guess shes all woman now! The laws down here in FL are pretty stiff for doing what Dukes did to a underage child.
Next year he'll be doing his receiving in Broward County Correctional 10x a day.

And what will you say if the charges are a bunch of BS?