High School players charged with attempted rape of special-ed student

A handful of football players from Juanita High School in Kirkland, Wash. have reportedly been charged with second-degree attempted rape. According to the Seattle Times, the five students are accused of sexually assaulting a special-education student.

The five players — four 15-year-olds and one 14-year-old — allegedly participated in a bullying incident in the boys locker room on Oct. 22, during which they lured an 18-year-old special-education student into the shower area. The older student was allegedly held down by three football players and had his pants pulled down while another student attempted to sodomize him with a broomstick.

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told the Seattle Times that text messages and witness accounts leading up to the event indicate that the accused students planned the assault. The attack allegedly lasted 30 seconds and was witnessed by several students.

“Although the incident does not appear to have been sexually motivated, the charges reflect that the attack involved an attempted or threatened penetration with a broom handle while one student was restrained by several others,” the prosecuting attorney’s office said.

Two Juanita football coaches were placed on administrative leave in November while the incident was under investigation. Juanita principal Gary Moed wrote a letter to parents assuring them that the school’s locker room procedures are being reviewed with student safety in mind.

“Five students have been charged with a very serious crime,” Moed wrote. “The possibility that an incident of this nature could occur at Juanita High School has been devastating to this school and our community. This incident is not reflective of what we all know that Juanita High School represents. Our school has worked hard to make every student feel welcome and safe.”

The five alleged attackers — all minors — are facing a wide array of possible sanctions.

H/T Deadspin