Chicago Blackhawks prospect Garret Ross was "suspended indefinitely" after records revealed Ross faces felony charges on accusations of violating Illinois’ ban on so-called “revenge porn," the Blackhawks announced Wednesday.
“On Saturday afternoon, March 19, 2016, the Chicago Blackhawks and Rockford IceHogs learned of a legal proceeding against IceHogs player Garret Ross," the Blackhawks said in a statement. "At that time, we excused Garret from Blackhawks Prospect Garret Ross Suspended After 'Revenge Porn' Charges team activities pending our preliminary review of the matter. After further review, we have determined to suspend Garret indefinitely pending the outcome of the legal process. Because this is a pending legal proceeding, we will have no further comment at this time.”
Ross, a 23-year-old Rockford IceHogs player who was drafted by the Blackhawks in 2012, has been charged with one count of non-consensual dissemination of a sexual image, a Class 4 felony, according to DeKalb County case records.
Court records show the charges stemmed from an offense that occurred on Aug. 31, 2015. The new law passed by the Illinois legislature in 2015 makes it a criminal act to share private sexual images without the consent of all parties involved.
If convicted, Ross faces one to three years in prison.
A preliminary hearing in the case is set for Apr. 22, with a status hearing scheduled for Mar. 28, according to documents from the DeKalb County Circuit Clerk’s Office.
Ross was scratched from the Rockford IceHogs’ lineup over the weekend after news of the allegations were reported.
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It is unclear if Ross has an attorney.
