Gable Steveson Issues Statement On 2019 Sexual Misconduct Investigation

WWE developmental talent Gable Steveson has issued a statement on the past sexual misconduct investigation against him. 

Steveson and fellow University of Minnesota amateur wrestler Dylan Martinez were arrested in June 2019 on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct after a female reported to authorities that she had been raped.

Charges weren't filed against Steveson or Martinez at the time and Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced in December 2019 that the two amateur wrestlers would not face criminal charges because of "inadequate evidence to fairly charge and prosecute" the case.

Few details about the case were made public but Freeman noted, according to ABC News, that Minnesota's laws on intoxication and a victim's ability to give consent meant his office was restricted on the charges they could bring forward. 

Minnesota law at the time stated a person who is sexually assaulted is not considered mentally impaired if they voluntarily drank alcohol or consumed drugs to the point they could not give reasoned consent. The law was changed earlier this year. 

Since Steveson signed with WWE in September 2021, some fans on social media have discussed the sexual misconduct investigation against the Olympic gold medallist. 

After the investigation drew attention on social media, Steveson issued the following statement to Ringside News: 

"One of the challenges for me personally especially over the past several months/years has been reading the criticisms and attacks on my character by people who don't know me personally and my values. No charges were ever brought by anyone and the entire episode has been difficult for everyone involved... Going forward people who don't know me will hopefully see that kindness, respect and empathy are virtues I take very seriously in my life."

Steveson joined WWE in September of this year as the company's first Next In Line developmental talent. The new programme means Steveson will finish his senior year at the University of Minnesota while training to be a professional wrestler at a remote training facility nearby and the WWE Performance Center. He was also drafted to Monday Night Raw in the 2021 WWE Draft.