Prosecutors Charge Indiana's Mackenzie Mgbako With Criminal Trespass

Indiana freshman Mackenzie Mgbako was charged Thursday in connection with an incident early Sunday at a Bloomington Taco Bell, where police say he refused to leave.
Prosecutors Charge Indiana's Mackenzie Mgbako With Criminal Trespass
Prosecutors Charge Indiana's Mackenzie Mgbako With Criminal Trespass /
In this story:

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana basketball freshman Mackenzie Mgbako has been charged with one count of criminal trespass by the Monroe County prosecutor's office in connection with an early morning incident Sunday at a Bloomington Taco Bell. 

The charge filed Thursday is a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable in Indiana by up to a year in jail and up to a $5,000 fine. Mgbako, 18, pleaded not guilty, and a pretrial conference has been set for Dec. 4. That is typically when a plea agreement could be announced and the case could be resolved rather than proceed to trial. 

Police also arrested Mgbako on a charge of resisting law enforcement Sunday, but the prosecutor's office chose not to pursue that charge Thursday.

According to Bloomington police, officers who responded to Taco Bell at 2:15 a.m. Sunday were told Mgbako was rude and cursing to workers as he was in the drive-through lane and would not leave after he was refused service. The report states officers told Mgbako to leave for 15 minutes and he did not, which resulted in the trespass charge. 

Indiana has not announced whether Mgbako will play in Sunday's exhibition game or if he will serve any kind of suspension. Coach Mike Woodson is scheduled to speak to media Friday. 

Mgbako committed to Indiana in May as a five-star recruit from New Jersey.

Related stories on Indiana basketball

  • MGBAKO ARRESTED: Indiana basketball freshman Mackenzie Mgbako was arrested Sunday morning on two Class A misdemeanor charges. CLICK HERE
  • MGBAKO COMMITS TO INDIANA: Indiana picked up a massive commitment from class of 2023 five-star recruit Mackenzie Mgbako. The 6-foot-8 McDonald's All-American from Roselle Catholic in New Jersey is the No. 9 player in the ESPN Top 100. CLICK HERE

Published
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.