Montana senior safety Justin Strong was arrested in Pullman, Washington early Saturday morning, as first reported by KHQ Television in Spokane.
Strong, a two-year starter who came to UM from Oregon State, was arrested for “severely beating” a Washington State student, according to the report. Strong was released on Monday without bail per KHQ but the Missoulian reports that Strong’s bail was set at $50,000 by telephone before his release on Monday morning.
The student Strong is accused of attacking is at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane with a fractured skull, KHQ reports. Strong’s little brother, Marcus Strong, is a defensive back at Washington State. Montana had a bye last week.
Strong told police he acted in self -defense. He was “booked for assault, second degree” on Saturday morning, per a report from the Missoulian. Second-degree assault in the state of Washington is a felony. But Strong has not been officially charged with any crime.
The Missoulian reports Strong’s bail was set at $50,000 via telephone hearing, according to the spokesman, but was released on Monday morning. Montana athletic director Kent Haslam said he is aware of the incident and that he will wait for further details to emerge before making a decision.
Montana senior safety Justin Strong/ by Brooks Nuanez
Montana’s Student-Athlete Code of Conduct classifies felony charges as a Category I violation. Preliminary action includes:
“The Athletic Director or his/her designee shall take preliminary action to temporarily suspend a student-athlete from participation in practice, competition, and/or access to athletic department services when a student-athlete has been charged with a felony. The suspension is indefinite pending the outcome of criminal proceedings and disciplinary action by the ACT, which as soon as possible shall be informed by the AD or designee of the temporary suspension and meet to discuss the issue.”
The Code of Conduct states preliminary action when charges have not been filed as:
“[If] reasonable evidence exists that a student-athlete may have committed a Category I violation (e.g., other specific and credible information exists such as arrest record, statements of law enforcement officers, University record, third-party or witness statements, or acknowledgement by the student-athlete), the ACT shall convene and determine preliminary action.”
Montana plays at Weber State on Saturday afternoon.
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