6 Penn State Football Players Arrested

STATE COLLEGE, CENTRE COUNTY-  Six members of the Penn State football team, including two key defensive players, are in trouble with the law, accused of taking part in a melee earlier this month.

The alleged incident took place on April 1st.  State College police say it started as a street fight that eventually ended up inside an off-campus apartment.

Starting defensive safety Anthony Scirrotto and cornerback Justin King are among the players charged.  Scirrotto and defensive tackle Chirstopher Baker face the most serious of the charges, including two felonies: burglary and criminal trespass.  King and three other face trespassing chargers, harassment and disorderly conduct.

Police say the incident began when Scirrotto and his girlfriend were attacked by three men on a street.  Scirrotto then called several other players. Police say, 45 minutes later, about 10 men entered the apartment and a brawl ensued.

State College Police Chief Tom King read one of the player’s statements regarding what happened inside the apartment.  “There was chaos for five straight minutes, referring to inside Apartment 302. He observed there were people fighting in various parts of the apartment. He described the scene as quote, "3 to 5 minutes of total craziness,” said Chief King.

All six turned themselves into police, and then have preliminary hearings next week.

Penn State released the following statement from Head Coach Joe Paterno:

"Speaking for our football staff, we are very concerned with the accusations made today and will determine the appropriate consequence for each player's status on the team when due process has transpired. Until such time, we will have no further comment regarding the situation."