6 New Jersey teens arrested after allegations of hazing, abuse

SAYREVILLE, N.J. - Police in the New Jersey town of Sayreville have arrested six teenagers in connection with allegations of intimidation and hazing on the Sayreville War Memorial High School football team.

Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Chief John Zebrowski said the teens were taken into custody Friday on charges of juvenile delinquency stemming from attacks on four other students in four separate incidents at the school.

The suspects, who range in age from 15 to 17, were being held pending a Family Court hearing decision on whether they should be released to their parents or detained in a juvenile facility. A seventh suspect is still being sought by police.

Prosecutors say between Sept. 19 and 29, the suspects held the victims against their will while they were improperly touched and at least one victim was kicked in the head, CBS New York reported.

At least three victims on the football team have come forward and said they were sexually assaulted by older players, according to CBS New York.

The suspects are facing charges including aggravated sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, conspiracy to commit aggravated criminal sexual contact, criminal restraint, and hazing, according to prosecutors.

The allegations of hazing and abuse prompted Sayreville School Supt. Richard Labbe to cancel the rest of the football season.

"There was enough evidence that there were incidents of harassment, of intimidation and bullying that took place on a pervasive level, on a wide-scale level and at a level at which the players knew, tolerated and generally accepted," Labbe told reporters on Monday.