An Arizona man, Thomas Seros, is facing four charges for making threats against Michigan State University (MSU) football coach Mel Tucker and a player following a game against the University of Michigan. Seros pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charges and a plea hearing is scheduled for October.
According to court records, Seros used an electronic device to send racially motivated threats to the coach and a senior defensive back for the Spartans, Angelo Grose. The threats were allegedly made on a social media website. The Ingham County Prosecuting Attorney, John Dewane, confirmed the charges but declined to provide further details due to the ongoing prosecution.
Seros could face up to a year in jail and fines if convicted on the charges, which include two counts of using a computer to commit a crime and two counts of malicious use of telecommunications services.
The threats were made shortly after MSU lost to the University of Michigan in a game that resulted in a postgame fight between players from both teams in a stadium tunnel. Seven MSU football players faced criminal charges for their involvement in the fight, and the university was fined $100,000 by the Big Ten Conference.
Meanwhile, Coach Mel Tucker is currently suspended without pay while an investigation into a sexual harassment complaint against him is ongoing. The university hired an outside attorney to investigate the allegations, and a hearing is scheduled for early October to determine if Tucker violated university policy.
The investigation into Tucker’s behavior is still ongoing, and an official sanction or punishment may follow based on the results of the investigation.