Gophers football players Carlton Djam and Tamarion Johnson have been served with restraining orders that would keep them from attending home games, according to documents obtained Wednesday by the Star Tribune.
Restraining orders seek to prevent two Gophers from playing in football home games
Legal difficulties could keep Tamarion Johnson and Carlton Djam from attending home games for two years.
October 20, 2016 at 2:43PM
The players' attorney, Lee Hutton, said he has and will continue to appeal on their behalf.
The woman who filed the restraining order in Hennepin County Court was involved in an incident on Sept. 2 that led to the suspension of Johnson and three other players but not Djam. No arrests or charges came of the incident.
The alleged victim participates in the university's home football game operation, and the TCF Bank Stadium address is listed as one of two restricted addresses in the restraining orders.
University spokesman Evan Lapiska said, "It would not be appropriate for the University to comment on this matter to the extent it relates to University students. The University reaffirms, however, that it will honor and comply with court orders."
Gophers coach Tracy Claeys referenced Lapiska's comments in saying, "I don't have anything to add to that."
According to Hutton, the Sept. 2 incident is what prompted the Gophers to suspend Johnson and three other members of the team — KiAnte Hardin, Ray Buford and Dior Johnson — for three games, while the Minneapolis police investigated.
After the police investigation, Hennepin County reviewed the evidence and announced Oct. 3 that it had declined to bring charges against the four players. Claeys reinstated the players from their suspensions the next day.
Hennepin County released details about the investigation in its statement, but the Star Tribune does not typically publish details of investigations that do not involve an arrest or charges.
The restraining orders are requested by the alleged victim to be two years in length. In the restraining order against Johnson, the alleged victim said Johnson "taunted [her] on the street" at some point after the incident.
"We just learned at the 11th hour that my clients were served with a [restraining order] with regards to the baseless allegations of misconduct in which they were cleared," Hutton said. "It went through the process. The Minneapolis police meticulously investigated the allegations that went up to a prosecutor to review, and the Minneapolis police decided not to charge my clients."
Djam is a reserve running back for the Gophers who had seven carries for 33 yards against Indiana State on Sept. 10. Tamarion Johnson is a freshman defensive lineman who is expected to redshirt this year.
Staff writer David Chanen contributed to this report.
Virginia Tech of the ACC awaits, but coach P.J. Fleck also is taking time to identify players for next season. “Pre-spring ball,” he called it.
