from www.dailycamera.com – Former University of Colorado linebacker Michael Sipili was arrested this morning on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 22-year-old woman last month at an off-campus apartment, according to Boulder police.

The police said the ex-Buff turned himself in around 10:30 a.m. after learning that there was a warrant out for his arrest. Detectives have been investigating the alleged incident for more than a month.

According to police, officers were called to an apartment complex in the area of 27th Way and Moorhead Avenue during the early morning hours of Dec. 4 after a 22-year-old woman reported that she was sexually assaulted by a male.
The woman said the incident happened after she and another female friend met a group of males at a downtown bar in Boulder and agreed to hang out with them at a local residence.

Police said Sipili engaged in sexual activity with the victim without her consent and after she repeatedly told him no.

The university reacted swiftly following the arrest announcement.

In a press release issued this morning, CU Athletic Director Mike Bohn said he was “extremely disappointed and troubled to learn of these accusations.”

Incoming CU head football coach Jon Embree said he would not tolerate personal misconduct or violence against women, according to the statement.

The school pointed out in its release that it had implemented a series of reforms in the wake of a string of sex assault allegations that were leveled against players and recruits nearly a decade ago.

They include presentations given to players on sex assault awareness and a CU Experience class that teaches student-athletes about sexual assault issues.

Sipili, who is being held in lieu of $100,000 bond at the Boulder County Jail, has gotten in trouble with the law before. In 2007, he was arrested on charges of punching another CU student in the face on University Hill. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and was sentenced to four days on a Boulder County Jail work crew, 80 hours of community service and two years of probation.

He also was suspended from both the university and the football team in 2007, but was reinstated to the roster in 2008.