Two more CMU football players involved in ongoing police investigation

Two more Central Michigan University football players are involved in an ongoing investigation that resulted in the arrest of three others this week.

CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley said Thursday Isabella County Prosecutor Larry Burdick continues to review the case that led to the Tuesday arrests of sophomore tight end Joe Sawicki and freshman receiver Danel Harris, and the Wednesday surrender of sophomore running back Austin White.

“The fact of the matter is that there are other people named in our investigation,” Yeagley told Central Michigan Life. “Two others are being investigated. … The prosecutor will have to make a decision.”

Yeagley declined to identify the two individuals, but acknowledged that they were members of the CMU football team. Burdick could issue an arrest warrant any day or decide not to at all, Yeagley said.

Sawicki, of Illinois, did not appear in Isabella County Trial Court Thursday morning for a scheduled preliminary exam. Under the guidance of his attorney, Lansing-based Peter C. Samouris, Sawicki waived his right to have a preliminary exam within the 14 days guaranteed under Michigan law. He has another preliminary exam scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Thursday at the Isabella County Trial Court before Judge William R. Rush.

Samouris, when contacted Thursday, declined comment on Sawicki’s arrest, saying the court is still in discovery mode.

“He’s a fine young man and I think this case will resolve itself,” Samouris said.

Sawicki was arrested Tuesday and charged with a three-count felony: delivery and manufacturing of narcotics, possession of narcotics and maintaining a drug house. He and White, who are roommates, are alleged to have been growing and selling psilocybin, a form of hallucinogenic mushrooms, inside their Celani Residence Hall room.

White, whose whereabouts were unknown Tuesday, turned himself in to CMU police Wednesday afternoon after negotiating a surrender through his attorney. Court records indicate the Livonia native was arraigned Thursday morning before being released on bond. His next court date has not been scheduled.

Harris, charged with felony larceny from a vehicle, was released from jail Wednesday after paying 10 percent of a $10,000 cash bond. The Florida native is alleged to have stolen a phone from a vehicle on campus, the original source of the investigation, Yeagley said. Harris has a preliminary exam scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Thursday in Isabella County Trial Court.

In a statement sent out by the CMU athletics department Wednesday morning, in which head coach Dan Enos condemned the alleged actions, all three were released from the football program.

All three, along with receiver Deon Butler and sophomore defensive back Kevin King, were suspended indefinitely following Saturday’s spring game. Butler and King remain suspended, according to CMU.

CMU athletics director Dave Heeke and Enos have not been made available for comment.