Tago was allegedly one of a group of men who mugged another man around California Street in Pullman on June 4 when they demanded that he give them the pack of beer he was carrying.
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Police arrested Tago when he arrived at the police station for an interview following a lengthy investigation, having finally gathered enough evidence to positively identify one of several suspects as Tago.
A Washington State team spokesman declined to comment Tuesday on Tago’s arrest, other than to say the team will continue to assist authorities.
However, the felony arrest not only puts Tago’s immediate availability in question, but raises further questions about his long-term future with the program.
It was not known if Tago had hired an attorney. Luani was arrested last month on a second-degree assault charge, and Pullman Police have forwarded the case recommending that charge, according to the Seattle Times. The case is now in the hands of Whitman County Prosecutors.
Washington State football spokesman Bill Stevens said Luani will play in Saturday’s game against Idaho.
Tago, a sophomore, recorded seven sacks through his first two games of the 2016 season. “Anyone is innocent until proven guilty and I don’t need the media’s help on this”.
The news of Tago’s arrest comes just hours after Cougar Head Coach Mike Leach ripped his team’s lack of maturity during his Monday press conference following a 31-28 loss to Boise State.
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If precedent is in play, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Tago disciplined similarly to how Luani was after his arrest; the starting safety didn’t suit up against Eastern Washington.
