MLS clears Cubo Torres after investigation

Striker Erick Torres is free to join the Houston Dynamo after being clearing by both Mexican authorities and an independent investigation conducted by Major League Soccer.

Torres was accused of sexual assault in Mexico while on loan to Chivas Guadalajara. Local authorities began investigating the claims when they surfaced in April. The incident was alleged to have taken place at a motel where a party, with several Chivas players in attendance, was taking place. Mexican authorities cleared Torres of the allegations in July. MLS hired an independent legal firm to review the findings of the Mexican authorities and cleared him to play for the Houston Dynamo.

Now cleared, Torres arrived in Houston and joined the team on Thursday.

Complete statement from Major League Soccer:

Erick "Cubo" Torres has returned to Major league Soccer after a six-month loan to C.D. Chivas Guadalajara and has reported to the Houston Dynamo. In light of public reports regarding allegations of sexual assault by Mr. Torres in Guadalajara, Mexico in April 2015, the League conducted an independent review of this matter.

After several months of conducting a criminal investigation, the District Attorney for Guadalajara issued an official ruling on June 19, 2015, stating that the evidence uncovered during its investigation cleared Mr. Torres of any criminal wrongdoing. As a result, the District Attorney recommended that the investigation be closed.

In accordance with Mexican law, the Attorney General for the State of Jalisco performed a detailed analysis of the evidence and information collected during the investigation for the purpose of approving or rejecting the District Attorney's recommendation. After concluding its review on July 3, 2015, the Attorney General approved the District Attorney's recommendation to close the investigation. The Attorney General noted in a 43-page report that the collective evidence in this matter warranted dismissal of any possible charges against Mr. Torres.

MLS also initiated its own review of the findings of the Mexican authorities and engaged an independent legal firm in Mexico (LVWHB Abogados) to assist with that review. According to Mexican Law for the State of Jalisco, such local counsel was granted permission from Mr. Torres to have access to the official investigation file and to review copies of the findings. The files included evidence such as the toxicology and psychology reports, independent witness statements, text messages, and interview transcriptions.

Based on the conclusions reached by the District Attorney of Guadalajara and the Attorney General for the State of Jalisco to close the investigation, along with the review conducted by MLS' independent legal firm in Mexico, the League is clearing Mr. Torres to play for the Houston Dynamo.

Major League Soccer has a zero tolerance policy on domestic violence and sexual assault and will continue to monitor any potential developments in the legal proceedings in Mexico. To the extent any additional informational or evidence is presented, the League is prepared to evaluate that information and take necessary action as the situation warrants.