The Chicago Blackhawks have suspended one of their players Garret Ross after finding out he was being prosecuted in an alleged “revenge porn” case.
As reported by TMZ, the 23-year-old from Michigan was charged with one felony count of “non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images”, known as “revenge porn”.
Allegedly Mr Ross shared a photo of a woman “engaged in a sexual act, which was obtained under circumstances which Ross should have known the image was to remain private,” officials said.
Mr Ross was charged on 2 February, and his ice hockey team said they learned of the case on 19 March.
A statement from the Blackhawks team read: “On Saturday afternoon, March 19, 2016, the Chicago Blackhawks and Rockford IceHogs learned of a legal proceeding against a IceHogs player Garret Ross.
“At that time, we excused Garret from team activities pending our preliminary review of the matter.
“After further review, we have determined to suspend Garret indefinitely pending the outcome of the legal process. Because this is a pending legal proceeding, we will have no further comment at this time.”
According to court records, as reported by ESPN, a woman from Illinois told authorities in September that she exchanged nude video and pictures with one of Mr Ross' teammates. She ended the relationship after learning he had a girlfriend.
Mr Ross has been allowed to travel out of state while he is waiting for his trial next month, which came about after a four-month investigation by authorities who obtained a search warrant for Mr Ross' mobile phone.
The state of Illinois passed one of the country's toughest laws in June last year to crack down on the sharing of private, sexual images of someone without his or her consent.
The crime is punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
