Four former USD football players plead not guilty to charges
Four former University of South Dakota athletes pleaded not guilty to charges of identity theft through the filing of bogus tax returns Monday.
Alphonso Rico Valdez, 21, Jeremy Blount, 24, Marquis Butler, 22, and Chris Frierson, 21, all former USD athletes, appeared in front of a federal judge in Sioux Falls Dec. 10.
If convicted of these charges, the defendants could face up to 12 years in federal prison. A sentence of up to 10 years could be faced due to conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government. The remaining two years are due to charges of aggravated identity theft that eight of the nine defendants also face.
Although a formal court date has not yet been released, a plea agreement deadline of Jan. 8 has been set. If the defendants are going to plead guilty, they must do so by that date.
Additionally, according to an Argus Leader story, “On Monday, Judge (John) Simko said the conditions placed on (the players’) release after their appearance before a district court in Florida, which included not leaving the middle district of Florida without written consent of the district and the state of South Dakota, and not committing any crimes, would remain in place.”
Frierson played for the Coyote football team earlier this year, but left due to violation of team rules.
Former Student Government Association President Terry Liggins, 27, and current USD student Chris Lundy, 21, also pleaded not guilty in Sioux Falls federal court last month. Lundy and Liggins were both released on a $500,000 bond.
Three other defendants not affiliated with USD have also pleaded not guilty in South Dakota and Florida federal courts.
A Vermillion police officer discovered the case in April 2012 following investigation of suspicious ATM activity committed by Valdez. It was found that he was attempting a withdrawal of $900 from a pre-loaded debit card.
This led officers to a USD dorm room, where fake returns were taking place. This discovery was followed by a six-month investigation.
