NCAA national champion wrestler A.J. Ferrari is no longer with the Oklahoma State program after he was named as the suspect in a sexual assault investigation, according to The Oklahoman.
The news, which the school confirmed, came after the Stillwater Police Department released a statement on Wednesday saying Ferrari was the suspect in a sexual assault investigation from an incident on July 2.
“On Saturday, July 2, 2022, at 4 p.m. Stillwater Police Department responded to a report of a sexual assault investigation that occurred within our jurisdiction. The suspect in the case has been identified as, Albert James Ferrari Jr.,” police said in a media alert.
“The case is currently under investigation by our Criminal Investigation’s Unit. SPD is committed to thoroughly investigating these cases. Once the investigation is complete the case will be submitted to the Payne County District Attorney’s Office for consideration of filing charges.”
Ferrari’s attorney Derek Chance said the allegations against his client are false.
“It is unfortunate that a student athlete can become a target, primarily because of their status as an elite athlete,” Chance told The Oklahoman. “AJ is cooperating with law enforcement and is confident the truth will come out. He appreciated his time at Oklahoma State, but he and the university mutually agreed a change was appropriate.”
According to the Stillwater News Press, a woman in Stillwater, who said Ferrari had unwanted sexual contact with her, received an emergency protective order against him on July 5. A hearing has been set for July 18.
Ferrari, who is slated to be a junior at OSU next season, was part of the WWE’s first ever NIL class in December. A WWE spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
On Thursday, Ferrari, who is an Allen, Texas, native, posted a number of Instagram story videos showing him weight-lifting amid news of his dismissal at OSU.
Ferrari won the 2021 individual title as a true freshman at 197 pounds. He was ranked No. 1 through a 10-0 start last year before his season was cut short due to injuries he sustained in a car accident.
Ferrari held a 30-1 record over one-and-a-half seasons. His younger brother, Anthony, signed with OSU as part of the 2022 class and is set to join the program in the fall.
— Additional reporting by Ryan Glasspiegel