Sioux City Heelan running back Michael Malloy had an arrest warrant issued for him in Nebraska on Aug. 8. The Iowa football recruit was cited for four violations, including obstruction of a police officer and possession or use of drug paraphernalia. Malloy committed to the Hawkeyes in late July. He rushed for 1,668 yards and 29 TDs for Heelan last season. (Gazette file)

Michael Malloy

Sioux City Heelan running back Michael Malloy was arrested in Nebraska on Monday and charged with four offenses, including possession or use of drug paraphernalia, according to Dakota County (Neb.) court records.

Malloy, who committed to play football at the University of Iowa last month, also was charged with obstruction of a peace officer, second degree criminal trespass and no head/tail lights, according to records. The warrant was issued Aug. 8 and returned Monday when Malloy turned himself in to authorities.

He pleaded not guilty to all four charges. A pretrial conference is set for Sept. 13 and jury trial Oct. 13.

The most serious charge is obstruction of a peace officer, a class 1 misdemeanor that carries a maximum of one year in jail and $1,000 fine. Possession of drug paraphernalia is the least serious. It’s an infraction, which is a $100 fine.

According to Heelan athletics director Jason Pratt, Malloy violated the Heelan conduct code and will be suspended for the first 20 days of football season. The suspension started today, the first day of school at Heelan.

Pratt said Malloy, who also plays defense for the Class 3A No. 1-ranked Crusaders, will miss Friday’s game at Sioux City East and the Sept. 2 game with Sioux City North.

Malloy, who also had a scholarship offer from South Dakota, rushed for 1,668 yards and 29 touchdowns for Heelan, which finished 12-2 and lost to Solon in the 3A state final.

Malloy, Iowa’s first 2012 commitment from the state, called Iowa after the arrest and told coaches what happened, Pratt said.

Per NCAA rules, Iowa coaches can’t comment on recruits until they receive a signed letter of intent.

Sioux City Heelan athletes have had a rough recent history at the UI.

Academics forced former Iowa basketball player Brennan Cougill out after the 2009-10 season. He transferred to Kirkwood Community College and is now on the roster at Wisconsin-Green Bay. Running back Brandon Wegher left Iowa during fall camp last August for personal reasons. He’s now at Iowa Western Community College.

“I know people will try to put Michael in that category,” Pratt said. “They shouldn’t do that.”

Zach McCabe, another Heelan graduate, will be a sophomore forward for the Hawkeyes this fall.