The legal problems of Cyclone basketball player Kenny Pratt kept Iowa State in the news throughout the semester break.

On Dec. 28, Ames police were called to the intersection of Lincoln Way and Dakota Avenue to investigate a traffic accident at about 7:30 p.m. Pratt, the driver of one vehicle involved in the accident, was arrested by Ames police on several charges including driving while intoxicated.

Other charges include harassment of a police officer, interference with official acts and serious assault of a police officer. Police reports indicate that Pratt, a senior forward from Chicago, allegedly kicked a city of Ames officer in the head, knocking one of the officer’s teeth loose.

Reports also indicate that Pratt, who has a suspended Illinois driver’s license, was driving a 1997 Pontiac Grand Am rented in Des Moines by Audis Gardner, listed on rental papers from the National Car Rental Agency as the only authorized driver. Gardner, who lives in Des Moines, has a criminal record.

Following his arrest, Pratt was suspended by Coach Tim Floyd pending the outcome of the charges.

In a statement released by the university, Floyd said: “Kenny Pratt is suspended from our team until the charges have been addressed by the legal system.”

In accordance with university rules, Pratt’s arrest led to an immediate suspension. However, Pratt appealed to an Iowa State athletic department appeals committee, which lifted the suspension after just one game.

“Following procedures outlined in the Iowa State University Student-Athlete Code of Conduct and based on information available to the Athletic Department Appeals Committee, the committee has decided to lift the suspension of Kenny Pratt pending the outcome of the charges against him,” said committee chairman Norman Boyles in statement released by the university Dec. 31.

Pratt, the team’s second-leading scorer a year ago, was back in action Jan. 4 at Missouri.

There is on-going dispute between Pratt’s lawyer and Ames police over the validity of the charges. Pratt’s attorney, Gerald Crawford of Des Moines, said that he’s not convinced the charges against Pratt are completely legitimate. He cited alleged inconsistencies in different police accounts of what happened.

Ames police officials ran an advertisement in The Ames Tribune last week seeking witnesses.

Pratt’s December arrest wasn’t his first encounter with Ames law enforcement officials. In October of 1995 he was charged with sexually assaulting an Iowa State student. Charges in that case were later dropped because of insufficient evidence.

Pratt is also currently serving one year of probation after pleading guilty to a disorderly conduct charge Nov. 20.

He was charged after police were called to an Ames bar on Sept. 28 to remove an unruly patron. As officers escorted Pratt from the bar he bumped one officer, yelled obscenities and called them pigs, according to police reports.

If a court determines Pratt violated the terms of his probation — which include breaking any laws — Pratt could be jailed for up to one month or fined up to $100. A probation violation punishment would be separate from any legal consequences that may stem from Pratt’s current troubles.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.