Notre Dame Linebacker Charged With Intimidation

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Prosecutors charged Notre Dame linebacker Carlo Calabrese with a misdemeanor count of intimidation Wednesday for allegedly making threatening remarks to a police officer after quarterback Tommy Rees was arrested near an off-campus party.

The St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office announced its decision less than two weeks after police recommended on May 3 that he be charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

According to a probable cause affidavit, South Bend Police Officer Dorian Finley said he arrived at the party after another officer had chased someone who fled the party and reported that he was in a fight. Finley said about 12 people began gathering on the street around officers and he told them to get on the sidewalk.

Calabrese became vocal and said Rees was his teammate, Finley said. Calabrese then walked toward the curb while talking on the phone, but remained on the street. Finley said he again asked Calabrese to get on the sidewalk. Finley said after a brief verbal exchange, Calabrese stepped on the sidewalk, but then walked back into the street. He then asked Finley if he was a Notre Dame football fan.

When Rees was taken away, Finley said Calabrese told him: "My people will get you." Finley asked Calabrese whether he was threatening him, and Finley said Calabrese repeated: "My people will get you."

Finley said people in the crowd grabbed Calabrese and walked him toward the house. Finley returned to his car. But when he saw a commotion, Finley walked back and saw people restraining Calabrese. Finley ordered Calabrese to come to him. Finley says Calabrese walked away and said "he was done." Finley said when he again ordered Calabrese to come to him, Calabrese started walking faster. So Finley ran after him and placed him under arrest.

Calabrese was released later on a $150 bond.

That all happened after Rees was pepper-sprayed and arrested after he allegedly ran from away and knocked the wind out of a police officer who caught up to him and continued to resist even after being knocked down. Police said Rees was among about five people who jumped a backyard fence and ran after officers arrived to break up the party.

The 19-year-old Rees was charged with one count of battery, two counts of resisting law enforcement and one count of illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor. He was released on $250 bond.

Rees, who is from Lake Forest, Ill., started 12 of 13 games as the Irish went 8-5 last season after starting four games as a freshman. He is among four players competing for the starting quarterback position this coming season.

Calabrese, who is from Verona, N.J., was a backup linebacker who played in every game last season after starting eight games as a sophomore during the 2010 season.

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly has acknowledged the incident and the school has said any discipline will be handled internally.

Both players were scheduled to make a court appearance Thursday.

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