Iowa wrestlers kicked off team after burglary charges filed

MARION - Three members of the University of Iowa's wrestling team are no longer with the program. The announcement comes after a litany of charges have been filed against Ross W. Lembeck, Seth A. Gross and Logan P. Ryan after a series of burglaries in Marion in March.

The three wrestlers, all 19, face two counts of felony-level third-degree burglary, seven counts of misdemeanor-level third-degree burglary, two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony and one count of conspiracy to commit an aggravated misdemeanor.

According to the Marion Police Department and Linn County Attorney's Office, the three men worked together to enter and steal items from two garages and seven cars in Marion in the early morning hours of March 18. Police said the men were found in possession of stolen property that was valued between $1,000 and $10,000. The different levels of burglary charges represent breaking into an occupied structure - the attached garages - versus the unoccupied vehicles.

The burglary charges had been pending against the wrestlers since March when they were first apprehended. Marion police said they were called out to Hunters Ridge around 1 a.m. March 18 for a theft in progress. Officers were given a description of a suspect vehicle, which was spotted leaving the area where the theft was reported.

Police stopped the vehicle and found the driver, Lembeck and his passengers - Gross and Ryan - inside along with stolen property. Included in the stolen items were clothing and a brief case, police said at the time.

All three men were charged with possession of alcohol under the legal age at the time of the stop. Lembeck was arrested on a drunken driving charge and Gross was charged with interference with official acts for fighting with the officers. Both men were booked at the Linn County Jail.

Ryan was cited and released for his possession charge and later pleaded guilty to the offense.

Lembeck has pleaded not guilty to drunken driving and is scheduled to go to trial on June 3. Gross has pleaded not guilty to interference and is scheduled to go to trial June 9.

The felony-level burglary charges, as well as the conspiracy to commit a felony charges, are Class D felonies punishable by up to five years in prison. The remainder of the charges are aggravated misdemeanors, which are punishable by up to two years in jail.

In a statement emailed Monday afternoon, University of Iowa wrestling coach Tom Brands said Gross, Lembeck and Ryan were no longer members of the team. The three wrestlers were red-shirt competitors this season. Gross and Ryan each wrestled at 141 pounds, and Lembeck wrestled at 157.