CBS News/ March 4, 2013, 7:39 PM

Elite NY school track members charged with sexual hazing

Bronx High School of Science

Bronx High School of Science / Bxscience.edu/WCBS

The prestigious Bronx High School of Science has become the center of a sexual hazing investigation, with three track team members charged with the violent abuse of a younger student.

CBS New York affiliate WCBS reports three boys, two 16 and one 17, were charged with forcible touching, assault, hazing in the second degree and harassment. The victims said all three boys were members of the track team.

According to the complaint, one of the assailants approached the victim in late December and early January. "You need a good fingering, you freshman," he allegedly said before assaulting him.

Later in January, one of the teens allegedly demanded that the victim touch him sexually and threatened to rape him if he did not. When the victim refused, he was pinned down and sexually assaulted, police said.

The older boys are also accused of striking the victim's genitals with a water bottle. Last week, the complaint says, the younger student was held down while others assaulted him. When the boy told the attackers they were hurting him, one allegedly responded, "Don't resist, we won't hurt you."

Bronx High School of Science Principal Valerie J. Reidy issued a letter to parents saying the attacks were being "fully investigated." All track team events are suspended until the investigation is completed.

WCBS reports the defendants pleaded not guilty at the Feb. 28 arraignment and were all released on their own recognizance. They are due back in court on Friday.

© 2013 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
6 Comments Add a Comment
linkicon reporticon emailicon
edsmd2 says:
This is not hazing at all, more like sexual assault. One of the parent is even a pastor...what a shame!
reply
linkicon reporticon emailicon
--Heartfelt-- says:
This doesn't sound like hazing to me. This is sexual assault by 3 males who are predators.
reply
linkicon reporticon emailicon
rwsmith29456 says:
That's not hazing, that is perversion.
reply
linkicon reporticon emailicon
VO142857 says:
Here is an idea. Cancel ALL track events and disband track team. Other members of disbanded team will take good care of those 3.
reply
linkicon reporticon emailicon
cpgrant3 says:
I say turn these 3 deliquents over to their parish priest so they can get a taste of their own medicine.
reply
VO142857 replies:
linkicon reporticon emailicon
Maybe, it's exactly who they learned it from.