This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
University of Southern California linebacker Osa Masina, a former Brighton High School standout, has been suspended for this weekend's season-opener and is under investigation by the Cottonwood Heights and Los Angeles police departments.
No charges have been filed against Masina, a 19-year-old sophomore. Coach Clay Helton said Tuesday that Masina was suspended from the Trojans' Saturday game against Alabama for violating team rules.
"USC is aware of the investigation involving student-athlete Osa Masina," the school said in a statement Tuesday. "USC is cooperating fully with authorities in Utah, the lead agency in the investigation."
Cottonwood Heights police detective Dan Bartlett said his department's investigation stems from an incident last month. Police in L.A. executed a search warrant last week in conjunction with police in Utah.
"… [D]etectives did interview Osa Masina related to a case they are investigating. The nature of the case is not being disclosed at this time, nor is the nature of Masina's involvement," according to a prepared statement from the Los Angeles Police Department.
Masina's attorney, Greg Skordas, declined to discuss specifics of the investigation.
"The search warrant was executed, but we haven't been asked to give a statement yet," Skordas said, adding that Masina remains enrolled at USC.
Masina, a sophomore, was a two-way star during his time at Brighton, earning All-Tribune MVP and Max Preps All-American second-team honors during his career. Last season, Masina recorded 25 tackles and returned a fumble for a touchdown as a freshman at USC.
Matthew Piper contributed to this report.
Twitter: @aaronfalk