The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department announced Thursday that the investigation of a sexual assault charge against Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval will continue into next week.
Deputy April Skalland released a statement shortly before 11 a.m. with the following information:
Detectives received more returns on evidence yesterday and are working on completing their reports. We will not have any new information on the Pablo Sandoval case until next week.
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It is expected that an announcement on whether to recommend prosecution of Sandoval will be made sometime before Friday, July 13.
The investigation stems from an incident that allegedly took place on June 1 at the Seascape Beach Resort in Santa Cruz County.
A woman made a complaint at 4:25 a.m. June 1 and named Sandoval as the suspect when she met with investigators, according to Skalland.
The woman submitted to a sexual assault forensic evidence kit at an area hospital.
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She told police that she met Sandoval in a small group in downtown Santa Cruz on Thursday night and they ended up at the resort where the alleged assault took place.
"We learned he was still there and detectives went there to interview him," said Skalland, adding that Sandoval was not detained or arrested. "He cooperated. He came down to the sheriff's office and was interviewed with his attorney present."
Sandoval's attorney, Eric Geffon, maintains that the sexual activity had been consensual.
Sandoval, 25, is batting .295 with seven home runs. He was selected to his second consecutive All-Star Game and is scheduled to start in the next week's Midsummer Classic
A first-time All-Star last season, Sandoval and the Giants agreed to a three-year, 17.15 million contract over the winter after club officials were satisfied that he would remain dedicated to battling his ongoing weight issues.
Known and beloved as the Kung Fu Panda after breaking into the big leagues with a .330 average in 2009, Sandoval is a fan favorite. Hundreds of kids (and many adults) wear furry Panda hats while cheering on his exploits.