Daily Staff Writer

AMES — Iowa State football player Clyde Sanders has been suspended from the team after being accused of writing $104.59 in stolen checks.

Sanders, formerly the Cyclones’ starting nose guard, was charged with two counts of forgery, a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $7,500.

Assistant police chief Jerry Stewart said Sanders and an acquaintance, Sparkle Celestina Hogan, 19, of North Highland, Calif., turned themselves in on Friday after learning that warrants had recently been issued for their arrest.

Hogan was charged with three counts of forgery in the same case. She was accused of writing checks totaling $65.22.

Stewart said the checks were stolen from Brian Brown of Iowa City, apparently during a party in Ames this winter. The checks were written from Feb. 20 to Feb. 25, Stewart said.

Police alleged that Sanders wrote checks of $45.36 to Pizza Hut and $59.23 to Peeple’s Music. Hogan allegedly wrote checks of $13.97 to Pizza Pit, $22.25 to Pizza Hut and $29 to Domino’s.

Iowa State athletic department spokesman Tom Kroeschell said Tuesday that coach Dan McCarney had suspended Sanders before the charges became known publicly. Sanders has been released from police custody.

A 6-foot-2, 281-pound junior, Sanders started the first three games last fall before injuring a knee. He finished the season with 11 tackles in nine games.