Utah school goes by book in sexual hazing case

Three high school football players face sex charges
Hazing incident at East High School
By Jason Bergreen
The Salt Lake Tribune

Three East High School football players have been kicked off the team after authorities filed criminal charges alleging the sophomores sexually assaulted another player during a hazing.
East High School football coach Aaron Whitehead confirmed Wednesday that sexual assault charges were filed after the players allegedly attacked another player three weeks ago. The alleged assault occurred in a locker room after practice, he said.
Whitehead said he could not talk about details of the case but said no type of hazing is tolerated at East High School.
“We don’t condone this activity,” he said.
The player who was attacked was not hospitalized and still plays on the team, Whitehead said.
Whitehead tried to elaborate on the severity of the assault by saying, “When you think of the worst [type of sexual assault], it was not the worst. It’s still a terrible thing.”
Whitehead said the three boys, who play on the sophomore football team, were suspended as soon as they were identified. They were referred to school administrators and a campus police officer conducted an investigation.
When the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office filed criminal charges, the boys were released from the team, Whitehead said.
Whitehead said he thinks the players have
also been suspended or expelled from school. A call to Salt Lake City School District spokesman for confirmation was not returned Wednesday night.