2LT International News

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Maryland, U.S.A. – Five male varsity football players have now been charged with raping four younger male teammates in a locker room at a Montgomery County high school, in the U.S. state of Maryland on Wednesday.

None of the suspects have been named as they are all juveniles and are being processed through Maryland’s juvenile justice system.

Detectives from the Special Victims Investigations Division of Montgomery County Police are in charge of the investigation.

The five are all facing charges of second-degree rape and/or attempted second-degree rape after being accused of hazing at the Damascus High School.

They have all been taken into custody.

All the alleged assailants and the victims are students of Damascus High School, founded in 1950.

Police confirmed the alleged attacks took place after school on Wednesday afternoon.

The school’s junior varsity team forfeited their final game of the season which was scheduled to be played on Thursday.

“As Damascus principal Casey Crouse shared with her community earlier this week, this alleged behavior is disturbing, inappropriate and unacceptable. MCPS does not and will not tolerate any form of hazing, bullying or harassment in our schools,” Jack R. Smith, the Superintendent of Schools at Montgomery County Public Schools said in a letter addressed to the MCPS community on Saturday. 

“I know many of you have questions about these allegations. The Montgomery County Police Department’s investigation related to these serious charges is ongoing; therefore, to avoid interfering with their work, I cannot share any additional information at this time. However, please know that MCPS is fully cooperating with law enforcement.”

The superintendent said counsellors would be made available at the school in the coming week to support students,

He also encouraged people to avoid spreading rumors online or in person.

“Not only can these rumors be hurtful, but they can also be a distraction to the investigation. If you believe you have information regarding the alleged incident, please contact the Special Victims Division of the Montgomery County Police at 240-773-5400,” he wrote.

In the coming week week, the official confirmed, MCPS will be speaking with students across the county about issues of hazing, bullying and harassment, “to ensure they know this type of behavior is not acceptable and they know how to report if they see or experience it.”