Reports: Virginia Tech RB McKenzie suspended after charged with misdemeanors

Published Mar. 5, 2015 8:33 a.m. ET

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Virginia Tech freshman running back Shai McKenzie has been charged with two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to reports.

A Christiansburg (Va.) Police spokeswoman confirmed the charge to the Roanoke Times. The report states that according to the arrest warrant, one of the contributing to the delinquency of a minor charges stems from having consensual sex with "a child 15 years of age or older."

The charge is a class 1 misdemeanor carrying a potential jail sentence of 12 months and a fine up to $2,500.

McKenzie was suspended indefinitely on Tuesday after the charges were made public.

"We are aware of the situation and misdemeanor arrest. We take these matters seriously," Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock said in an email to the Times. "Coach (Frank) Beamer has suspended Shai indefinitely from all team related activities as of yesterday. It's in the hands of the proper authorities and we will respect the process."

Another Virginia Tech student, Devin A. Gavion, has also been charged with one felony count of carnal knowledge of a 14-year-old and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to The Washington Post.

The alleged incident occurred between Feb. 11 and Feb. 15 and a warrant for McKenzie and Gavion's DNA was issued on Feb. 27, according to the Roanoke Times.

McKenzie is reportedly scheduled to report to court on March 16.

The freshman running back ran for 269 yards and three touchdowns in five games last season before tearing an ACL and undergoing surgery. He was reportedly expected to be limited in the spring, but fully cleared by this summer and was participating in training with the team on Tuesday.