One current, two former members of Iowa football team charged with tampering with records
Former student manager also charged as part of ongoing investigation into sports wagering
IOWA CITY, Iowa – One current and two former members of the Iowa football team, along with a former student manager, have been charged with tampering with records related to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s probe into sports wagering.
Junior walk-on wide receiver Jack Johnson, former student manager Owen O’Brien, former receiver Arland Bruce IV and former defensive back Reggie Bracy are now all facing charges.
Bruce, who has since transferred to Oklahoma State, has played the most among the three players charged on Thursday as he saw action in 11 games last season and had 19 catches for 187 yards and one touchdown. Bruce also appeared in 14 games as a true freshman in 2021 and finished with 25 catches for 209 yards and one touchdown.
Bracy, a safety who now plays for Troy in his home state of Alabama, appeared in 10 games last season, mostly on special teams, and had four tackles. He also appeared briefly in four games in the 2021 season.
Troy released a statement after learning that Bracy has been charged in the investigation.
“Reggie Bracy has been suspended from all team-related activity in response to allegations of his conduct while he was a student-athlete at another institution.”
Bruce allegedly placed bets on 11 Hawkeye games in which he participated over two seasons, according to a complaint filed by the Johnson County Attorney’s Office. Bruce is accused of using a DraftKings account under the name of Vincent Bruce to place bets before he turned 21, the legal gambling age in Iowa. Bruce placed 132 sports wagers totaling $4,342, according to the complaint.
The criminal complaint alleges that Bracy placed bets on two Hawkeye games in which he participated against South Dakota State and Michigan in the 2022 season. Bracy allegedly used the Vincent Bruce account to place bets before Bracy turned 21.
Bruce, according to the criminal complaint, allegedly placed 66 bets totaling $715 while he was underage.
Johnson is accused of placing four wagers on Hawkeye football games in which he did not participate. According to the criminal complaint, Johnson engaged in a scheme with his mother, Jill Johnson, to protect and disguise his identity and allow him to place bets before turning 21.
A graduate of West Des Moines Valley, Johnson allegedly placed 380 wagers totaling more than $1,800 before he turned 21.
O’Brien is accused of placing three wagers on Iowa football games last season when he was a member of the football staff, according to the criminal complaint.
Iowa kicker Aaron Blom, former Iowa basketball player Ahron Ulis and former Iowa baseball player Gehrig Christensen also have been charged with tampering with records as part of the investigation, which is believed to have been launched in late April or early May.
Ulis has since transferred to Nebraska.