Two Oregon State football players face charges of providing alcohol to teen who later died

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) - Two Oregon State football players and a former teammate have been charged with providing alcohol to an 18-year-old, who was later found dead with more than five times the legal limit of alcohol in his blood.

Lance Strickland's body was found in an unoccupied dorm room over Labor Day weekend with a blood alcohol level of .43 percent, officials said Monday. Strickland, who was not a student at the university, had been visiting friends on campus before the Beavers football game against Portland State, Benton County District Scott Heiser said.

Michael Marks and Gregg Peat, both 18, have been charged with two counts of giving alcohol to Strickland and another man, Heiser said. Marks and Peat are both being redshirted this season.

A former member of the team, 21-year-old John Ronnfeldt, faces four counts of furnishing alcohol to Strickland, Marks, Peat and another man, Heiser said.

Ronnfeldt and Marks were arraigned Monday and released. The two are scheduled to return to court on November 3, Heiser said. Peat is to be arraigned Tuesday.

The athletic department has proposed punishments for Marks and Peat that include alcohol awareness counseling and community service, Oregon State spokesman Steve Fenk said.

The charges carry a maximum possible penalty of one year in jail and a fine of $6,350 for each count.