Story County, Iowa - In a significant turn of events, prosecutors in Story County have decided to drop charges against four current and former Iowa State Cyclone athletes, following revelations that a Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) investigator may have exceeded the allowable use of geofence technology. This development comes after attorneys for the athletes have long asserted that the use of this technology was improper and violated their clients' rights.

The Motions to Dismiss were filed by Story County prosecutors on Friday, effectively halting the cases against Jirehl Brock, Paniro Johnson, Isaiah Lee, and Eyioma Uwazurike. As part of the resolution, the State of Iowa has also agreed to bear the court costs for the defendants, relieving them of any financial burden.

These four individuals were among several male athletes from the University of Iowa and Iowa State University who were charged in the summer of 2023 with gambling offenses. According to authorities, these athletes allegedly used sports gaming apps under false identities, including that of friends and family members. Underage athletes involved in the probe faced additional charges of Underage Gambling violations, while those of legal age were charged with "Tampering With Records."

In response to the charges, the athletes' attorneys, led by prominent Des Moines lawyer Van Plumb, raised concerns about the validity of the charges and questioned the investigative techniques employed. Their investigations into the DCI's procedures revealed that DCI Special Agent Brian Sanger had used geofence technology without a warrant to identify general use of gambling apps at the athletic facilities of the schools. This unauthorized collection of data was then used to justify further investigation, ultimately leading to the filing of charges.

Adding weight to the defense's claims, Plumb recently disclosed in a court filing that the Iowa DCI had its access to geofence technology revoked by the company that owns it due to alleged misuse. In light of this evidence, prosecutors stated in their Motion to Dismiss that all charges should be dropped.

The conclusion of the criminal case against the athletes could now open the door for possible civil action against the state. Eyioma Uwazurike, in particular, was suspended for the 2023 NFL season by the Denver Broncos following the filing of charges, which may potentially result in substantial financial losses for him.

As this case highlights concerns about the misuse of geofence technology, it remains to be seen how authorities and investigators will respond to these allegations and ensure the appropriate use of such tools in future cases. The dropped charges mark a pivotal moment for the athletes involved, offering them a chance to move forward and seek justice for any potential harm caused by the investigation.