AMES, IOWA — Attorneys representing four current and former Iowa State University student-athletes accused of illegal gambling activity have asked a judge to suppress all evidence in the investigation against the men gathered using a warrantless Geofence, according to a new motion filed on Tuesday in Story County.
Eyioma Uwazurike, Isaiah Lee, Jirehl Brock and Paniro Johnson are each charged with Tampering With Records for allegedly using gambling apps registered to someone other than themselves to place sports wagers. All four men are of legal gambling age and are among more than a dozen Cyclone and Hawkeye male athletes charged last year.
Attorneys for the four Cyclones have argued that not only were no laws actually broken by the men, but that their own constitutional rights were violated by authorities who illegally launched the investigation into the men. Attorneys renewed those claims in court on Tuesday and formally asked that all evidence gathered by a Geofence – a technology that can isolate and record all electronic communication in a given area – be thrown out.
In the Motion to Suppress, attorneys argue that Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Agent Brian Sanger launched his investigation despite having not received any tips about illegal wagering at Iowa State University when he placed a Geofence around the school’s athletics facility. The results of that Geofence were used to justify the investigation continuing.
Further, the attorneys argue that DCI agents mislead student-athletes during investigations and assured them that they weren’t the target of the investigation. After speaking freely with agents after being give that assurance, they were nonetheless charged with crimes. “The coercive conduct and promises of leniency by the officers make any statements made involuntary, against free will, and contrary to Defendant’s constitutional rights,” the Motion reads.
Attorneys for the Cyclone athletes allege as well that the company GeoComply has ended its agreement with the Iowa DCI as of last month due to the alleged misconduct of DCI agents in this investigation.
Uwazurike, who was drafted by the Denver Broncos after leaving Iowa State and has since been suspended by the NFL for gambling violations, is not waiving his right to a speedy trial and on Tuesday requested a trial date be set soon.