Legal Roundup: Vols' Pearson suspended; Boise State's Finley facing misdemeanor charges

Kimberly John is a writer for theScore. She is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, The Dickinson School of Law and is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Each week she takes a look at the legal landscape around college athletics.

Arrests

Von Pearson, WR, Tennessee: Pearson was suspended indefinitely by the Volunteers after he was named as a suspect in a rape investigation. 

Rape is a Class B felony punishable by a maximum 30 years in prison and a fine of no more than $25,000. *Tenn. Code Ann. § § 39-13-503; 40-35-11

Ryan Finley, QB, Boise State: Finley, the Broncos' likely starting quarterback, was arrested and charged with a minor in possession of an alcoholic beverage and resisting or obstructing officers. 

A minor in possession of an alcoholic beverage is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum fine of $1,000. *Idaho Code § § 23-604; 18-1502(b)

Resisting and obstructing officers carries a punishment of no more than one year in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000. *Idaho Code § 18-705

Pierre Ingram, recruiting coordinator, WRs coach, California: Ingram was dismissed from Cal following an arrest for solicitation of a lewd act. 

Solicitation of a lewd act is a misdemeanor and upon first conviction is punishable by a maximum of six months in year and up to $1,000 in fines. *Cal. Pen. Code § 647(b)

Lawsuits

Former Ohio State band director allowed to sue university: A U.S. District Judge has ruled that Jonathan Waters, who was fired last summer by the Buckeyes after an internal investigation accused him of allowing a "sexualized culture," will be allowed to sue Ohio State for reinstatement and damages. 

Waters accuses the university, president Michael Drake and a provost of discriminating against him by denying him due process and disciplining him differently than a female employee.

Woman seeks to dismiss lawsuit brought against Nick Saban's daughter: Sarah Grimes's lawyer filed a motion asking a judge to throw out her suit against Kristen Saban, daughter of Alabama coach Nick Saban.  

Grimes sued the coach's daughter in 2012 over a fight they had while attending college in 2010, claiming she suffered lasting injuries during the brawl. The motion does not list a reason for the dismissal. 

theScore does not make any judgments regarding the guilt or innocence of any individual mentioned.