Chicago Blackhawks prospect Garret Ross, 23, has reportedly been charged under Illinois’ ‘revenge porn’ law in relation to an alleged incident that occurred in August 2015. Ross was scratched for both of the Rockford IceHogs’ games this past weekend.

The Hockey News

Chicago Blackhawks prospect Garret Ross, 23, has been charged with “one count of has non-consensual dissemination of sexual images,” according to multiple sources. The charges fall under the recently enacted “revenge porn” laws, which came into effect in Illinois in June 2015.

Sports Illustrated’s Allan Muir reported that Ross allegedly shared an image of a woman “engaged in a sexual act, which was obtained under circumstances which Ross should have known the image was to remain private,” according to those close to the case. The woman did not consent to the dissemination of the image. The reported charges stem from an incident that occurred Aug. 31, 2015.

News of the charges against Ross first surfaced Saturday via SportsTownChicago.com’s Nick Burzych, along with what is reportedly an image of case information. The case number is still active and there is a defendant with the same name as the player, but the information is currently inaccessible.

According to TMZ Sports, “the judge in the case agreed to modify his bond allowing him to travel out of the state for work, but Ross will reportedly be headed back to court next week. The “revenge porn” law is a Class 4 Felony, which can carry a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a maximum fine of $25,000. “The law also would require the forfeiture of any money or goods received in exchange for posting the images,” according to the Chicago Tribune’s Monique Garcia.

Ross has played 59 games for the Rockford IceHogs, the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate, this season, scoring seven goals and 20 points. He was scratched for both games this weekend, however, and his status with the team is unclear at this point. Ross, drafted in the fifth round, 139th overall in 2012, is in the final year of his three-year, entry-level deal with Chicago.

The Blackhawks have not yet released a statement regarding Ross.