Report: MSU Guard Brock Washington Under Investigation for Sexual Assault

Michigan State freshman guard Brock Washington "has been under investigation for sexual assault since the start of the fall semester," according to Paula Lavigne of ESPN.

The walk-on is currently on the team's official active roster, but he hasn't appeared in a game yet this season.

Michigan State campus police classified the case as a fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, and Ingham County prosecutors are still determining whether charges should be filed.

The reported assault took place in August when a female student told campus police that Washington groped her without her permission.

This incident will likely be looked at with greater scrutiny due to Michigan State's negative recent history when it comes to handling these types of issues.

As Lavigne and Nicole Noren of ESPN reported earlier this month, the school had a "pattern of widespread denial, inaction and information suppression of such allegations by officials ranging from campus police to the Spartan athletic department."

In addition to the highly publicized sexual assault case regarding former team physician Larry Nassar, members of both the football and basketball teams have been accused of sexual assault. Athletic director Mark Hollis and president Lou Anna Simon have both left the university in wake of the news.

If Washington is charged and found guilty of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, he could face up to two years in prison.