'Piggyback Bandit' now banned from high school sports in Minn., N.D.

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. — Minnesota is banning the man known as the "Piggyback Bandit" from high school games in the state.

Twenty-eight-year-old Sherwin Shayegan has a history of jumping on the backs of high school athletes.

Executive Director David Stead of the Minnesota State High School League says Shayegan was seen in St. Cloud on Thursday and was known to be in Minneapolis Friday.

Stead says he is banning Shayegan from all league-sponsored games and fine arts activities in Minnesota.

On Thursday, the North Dakota High School Activities Association took similar action after Shayegan showed up at three high school sporting events in Bismarck.

Last week Shayega pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of assault after his arrest in Helena, Mont. He acknowledged jumping on two players at a soccer tournament in October.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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