Gary pleads not guilty, trial set to begin in February

Dan Tracy

ISU wide receiver Albert Gary has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree robbery stemming from an incident in June, according to Iowa Court online records.

Gary, a redshirt sophomore, was officially charged with first-degree robbery on Nov. 15, one day after ISU coach Paul Rhoads announced Gary had served a three-game suspension at the beginning of the 2011 season. Rhoads said he will consider further punishment if Gary is found guilty.

According to the online records, Gary’s attorney Matthew Boles filed a written not guilty plea Wednesday. Gary’s jury trial date has now been set for Feb. 14.

Boles did not immediately return calls made Friday afternoon. Assistant Story County attorney Timothy Meals, the lead prosecutor in the case, declined comment on the case when reached Friday afternoon.

In the latter part of the season, Gary emerged as one of the Cyclones’ best receiving targets, leading the team in receiving in three consecutive games against Kansas, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. The Ocala, Fla., native finished the regular season fifth on the team in catches with 21 for 267 receiving yards and two touchdowns.