WATERLOO - One of three people arrested following a scuffle with police at the Main Event Center in Cedar Falls has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges as a second person prepares for trial.

Brandon Latrel Keith, 23, a former University of Northern Iowa football player, entered guilty pleas to rioting and interference with official acts Tuesday in Black Hawk County District Court.

He was given two years of probation for the interference charge and granted a deferred judgment for rioting, which means that charge will come off his record if he successfully completes probation.

Also on Tuesday, jury selection concluded for Adam Lacrae Gray Roberts, 21, a sophomore defensive back for the Panthers.

Roberts is charged with interference causing bodily injury and interference causing serious injury for wounds received by two Cedar Falls Police officers.

Roberts has pleaded innocent, and his defense attorney, John Rausch, said the injuries came when an officer stumbled while arresting his client.

A third gridder, Darrell Lee Loyd, 21, a junior defensive back, earlier pleaded to interference with official acts and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, suspended to five days in jail.

The incident happened in the early morning hours of March 9 when a fight broke out inside the Main Event Center around closing time.

"This is a case about being given a police directive and choosing not to listen … choosing to resist, choosing to struggle," said Assistant County Attorney Linda Fangman.

Officers were called to the scene, and authorities allege Keith charged police inside the building and was shot with a Taser in response.

As authorities were attempting to clear more than 100 people from the area outside, Roberts and Lloyd refused to leave without Keith.

An officer tried to take Lloyd into custody for failing to leave, and Roberts tried to separate Lloyd from the officer, Fangman said.

Two officers then attempted to detain Roberts, Fangman said. He struggled, and the three ended up on the ground.

Officer Marc Rath received a broken knee cap and femur and underwent surgery. Lt. Michael McCallum received a broken wrist, Fangman said.

Rausch said Roberts approached Lloyd after Lloyd was squirted with pepper spray and was walking away from officers.

He said Rath and McCallum each grabbed one of Roberts' hands. Rath's knee, which had received prior medical care, "popped" when he planted his foot, Rausch said.

Rath fell, pulling Roberts on top of him, and McCallum was dragged down on top of Roberts, Rausch said.

He said Roberts didn't inflict any injuries on the officers.

Contact Jeff Reinitz

at (319) 291-1578 or

jeff.reinitz@wcfcourier.com