March 22--Blackhawks prospect Garret Ross has been charged with a felony after police say he shared an image of a woman engaged in an sexual act without her consent -- an offense more commonly known as "revenge porn."
The woman, who lives in Sycamore, told authorities in September that she had been in a romantic relationship with one of Ross' teammates on the Rockford IceHogs, the Hawks' AHL affiliate, but ended it when she learned he already had a girlfriend. During their relationship, however, she said she exchanged nude video and pictures with the player, according to police reports obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.
The player and his girlfriend broke up after the girlfriend learned he was meeting other women via Tinder, according to the woman's statement to police. Ross's girlfriend also dumped him for the same Tinder-related reason, the woman said.
Both players blamed the Sycamore woman for "spreading lies" to their girlfriends, though the woman denied their allegation, the report states.
According to the woman's complaint, she received angry text messages from Ross on Aug. 30 "harassing her about Tinder and the video she previously sent to" his teammate. During the text conversation, Ross sent the video, according to the police report.
"The images that were shared with him were not to be disseminated, and he knew that," Sycamore police Cmdr. Michael Anderson said.
The woman asked that both Ross and his teammate -- whose name was redacted from the police records -- be charged criminally. The teammate has not been charged, police said.
Ross, 23, was charged Feb. 2 after a four-month investigation in which investigators obtained a search warrant for his cellphone. He was released on bond and given permission to travel out of state while he awaits trial.
Ross' attorney could not be immediately reached for comment. The Hawks did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ross, a winger with the IceHogs, continued to play for the IceHogs even after he was charged. He has played in 59 games for the IceHogs and has seven goals and 13 assists, but he has not played in the team's last two games. Ross, whom the Hawks drafted in the fifth round of the 2012 entry draft, has never played a game for the Hawks and is a restricted free agent after the season. IceHogs coach Ted Dent said Ross was excused from practice for "personal reasons," according to WREX in Rockford.
Revenge porn became a felony in Illinois last June, making the crime punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. The law also requires the forfeiture of any money or goods received in exchange for posting the images.
Supporters said the tougher law was needed to deter acts of vengeance that are usually targeted at women and can destroy reputations and careers. Opponents, however, have argued the law infringes on the right to free speech.
Ross is scheduled to appear in Dekalb County court for a status hearing next month.
