Nate Holley found not guilty of felony kidnapping and assault

As reported by Jordan Strack of WTOL-TV and other local media outlets, former Kent State defensive back Nate Holley has been found not guilty on all charges stemming from a Nov. 2016 case.

Holley was arrested and charged with felony kidnapping in Nov. 2016 in Franklin Township near Ravenna, Ohio and was immediately suspended indefinitely from football activities. The news fell just days before a nationally-televised game vs. then-undefeated Western Michigan.

Per reports from the Record-Courier, Holley pleaded not guilty Nov. 16 to felony kidnapping and felonious assault. A second felony charge, this time felonious assault, was tacked on Dec. 2016.

The trial began Jan. 24 and the verdict was delivered Thursday afternoon.

Holley was alleged to have held his then-girlfriend against her will by “taking her on a car ride” and then assaulting the woman when she tried to leave the vehicle, according to reports.

There is no word on what will happen next for Holley, whose football career was cut short due to the allegations. Holley, a product of nearby Whitmer High School, was one of Kent State’s defensive leaders and was projected to play at the professional level prior to his arrest.

Kent State Athletics has not released a statement on the matter as of publication.