Former Ohio State CB Gareon Conley releases statement on rape allegations

For the first time since his pending rape accusations were made public, former Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley shared his thoughts.

The NFL draft prospect released a statement through his agent to ESPN’s Josina Anderson:

As Conley said, he has not been charged of a crime. The alleged rape occurred on April 9 at a downtown Cleveland hotel.

Conley admittedly “put himself in that situation” and “could’ve used better judgment.” But he denied all of the accuser’s claims and said that he had “several witnesses” that would prove his innocence.

The accuser said in the police report that Conley asked her to participate in a foursome but that she declined and offered to watch.

From the police report:

A short time later, the woman says Conley unbuttoned her pants and began to have sex with her. She claims she said, “No, stop, it hurts!” but he kept going until he finished. She says he then kicked her out of the hotel room.

The investigation will likely not be resolved in the next couple days. Conley already changed his draft plans and elected not to be in Philadelphia.

It remains to be seen how big of a hit these accusations will have on Conley’s draft stock.