Assault charges against Iowa State football player Damien Groce were dropped on July 9, and similar charges were filed against Jerome Anthony Heavens, another Cyclone football player.

Department of Public Safety officers charged Heavens in connection with an assault that occurred July 6 outside a computer lab in Friley Hall.

Groce was charged July 8 after 17-year-old freshman Gordon Edward Thunder reported he was hit in the face.

Thunder and an unidentified eyewitness identified Groce as the assailant.

Loras Jaeger, director of DPS, said due to “different stories coming from witnesses” and conclusions “based on interviews with witnesses,” DPS made a recommendation to the Story County Attorney’s Office to drop charges filed against Groce.

As a result of the new information, Heavens, 20, 1217 North Dakota Ave. # 7, was charged July 8 with simple assault.

According to a press release, he was cited and released on a promise to appear in court at a later date.

Groce was present at the time of the incident, Jaeger said.

Jaeger said the investigation should be settled now, and he doesn’t anticipate the charges changing again.

“The investigation is complete now; I don’t foresee any additional charges being filed,” he said.

Tom Kroeschell, assistant athletic director for Media Relations, said Heavens was automatically placed on suspension in accordance with the student athletic code, which requires the suspension of any ISU athlete charged with a violent crime.

Heavens saw action in the 11 games of the 1997 season, rushing for 94 yards on 27 carries and making 11 receptions for 68 yards.

Heavens left ISU during the 1998 season but had returned for the coming season.

His suspension will remain in place until the charges are resolved in the legal system.

Head football coach Dan McCarney lifted Groce’s suspension on July 9.

Groce was ISU’s leading receiver in 1998. He caught 47 balls for 640 yards and seven touchdowns.

McCarney said in a written statement that he regrets the negative attention Groce received through the incident.

“It is unfortunate that Damien was put in a negative spotlight in connection with something for which he was not responsible,” McCarney stated.

In addition to his legal troubles, Heavens has not yet obtained academic clearance from ISU and will not be permitted to practice with the football team until he does so.