North Dakota State wide receiver Justin Howard, who was suspended for an unspecified time period, was charged in Cass County District Court for solicitation of minors and disorderly conduct.
Court records show both offenses occurred on Nov. 28 - a day after NDSU defeated Robert Morris (Pa.) in the first round of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision playoffs at the Fargodome.
NDSU's season lasted two more games, but Howard wasn't charged until Feb. 25, records show.
Head coach Craig Bohl said this week Howard was suspended for a violation of team rules and would not elaborate.
Corruption or solicitation of minors is a Class A misdemeanor and carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail, if convicted. Disorderly conduct is a Class B misdemeanor and has a maximum of 30 days in jail. He was released on a $2,500 bond.
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Court records say the charges stem from allegations made by two females, one who was either 16 or 17 years old. Police accuse Howard of trying to get the juvenile girl to engage in a sex act with him as well as crawling into the bed of the other woman and trying to kiss her as she slept.
Howard's attorney, Nicholas Thornton, said Howard has pleaded not guilty on both accounts.
"My client maintains he is innocent of the charges," Thornton said.
They weren't Howard's only offenses. He pleaded guilty to minor in possession in January of 2010 and was placed on unsupervised probation for 12 months. Last February, Fargo police cited Howard for speeding and an outstanding warrant for loud party violation.
Howard was the team's third leading receiver with 24 receptions for 280 yards. He was the primary kickoff returner with 20 returns for a 22.7-yard average.
He is not with the team in spring practice.
Forum reporter Jeff Kolpack can be reached at (701) 241-5546. Kolpack's NDSU media blog can be found at www.areavoices.com/bisonmedia
