Indiana Freshman Mackenzie Mgbako Arrested on Two Misdemeanor Charges

Indiana basketball freshman Mackenzie Mgbako was arrested Sunday morning on two Class A misdemeanor charges.
Indiana Freshman Mackenzie Mgbako Arrested on Two Misdemeanor Charges
Indiana Freshman Mackenzie Mgbako Arrested on Two Misdemeanor Charges /
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana freshman Mackenzie Mgbako was arrested Sunday morning.

Mgbako, 18, was booked at 3:16 a.m. ET Sunday on two Class A misdemeanor charges — criminal trespass, and resisting law enforcement, according to Monroe County jail records. He has since been released

"IU Athletics is aware of the situation," an IU spokesperson told HoosiersNow.com. "We will continue to gather facts, cooperate with and monitor the legal process, and take further action as the evolving situation warrants."

Mgbako committed to Indiana in May as a five-star prospect out of Roselle Catholic High School in New Jersey.

Inside the Hall published a statement from Bloomington Police Department captain Ryan Pedigo regarding Mgbako’s arrest:

“On October 22nd at approximately 2:15 a.m., officers responded to Taco Bell, located at 3001 E Third Street, in reference to a man refusing to leave the property. Upon arrival, officers were advised by Taco Bell management that they were refusing service to the man in a vehicle in the drive-thru due to him cursing at and being rude to employees. Officers made contact with the man, who refused to identify himself but told officers that he was 18-years-old. The man was later identified as Mackenzie Mgbako. Officers asked Mgbako to move his vehicle from the drive-thru line, which he agreed to do and moved the vehicle into a parking space in the Taco Bell lot. Upon speaking further with management, they requested that officers tell Mgbako to leave the property. Officers explained to Mgbako that he needed to leave the property and he refused to do so and kept the windows closed on his vehicle. At one point, Mgbako began to drive out of the lot, but then reversed his vehicle and parked again in a parking space on Taco Bell property. He was told repeatedly that he needed to leave the property by officers, but failed to comply and stayed on Taco Bell property for approximately 15 minutes.

“Officers determined that Mgbako would be arrested for trespassing, but he then moved his vehicle to a nearby lot and parked again. Officers approached his vehicle and advised him that he was under arrest and that he needed to exit his vehicle, but he refused to do so. Officers had to use a baton to break the passenger side window of the vehicle to unlock the doors. Upon opening the driver’s door, Mgbako was given commands to exit the driver’s seat, but he refused to do so. Officers had to forcibly remove him from the vehicle and he tensed his arms and would not allow officers to secure him in handcuffs. Officers were able to eventually place him in handcuffs and he was then transported to the Monroe County Jail, where he was remanded for criminal trespass, class A misdemeanor, and resisting law enforcement, class A misdemeanor.”

This story will be updated.

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Jack Ankony
JACK ANKONY

Jack Ankony is a Sports Illustrated/FanNation writer for HoosiersNow.com. He graduated from Indiana University's Media School with a degree in journalism. Follow on Twitter @ankony_jack.