Teens arrested at L.A. school for alleged sexual assaults
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Authorities say they've arrested ten male students from Venice High School for alleged sex assaults and unlawful sex acts against underage victims, CBS Los Angeles reported.
Four other students are being sought, Los Angeles Police Department Cmdr. Andy Smith announced at a news conference Friday. All of the suspects are between 14 and 17 years old
The LAPD said the investigation began Tuesday when officials at Venice High School alerted them about a victim of a possible sexual assault.
The alleged incidents took place both on and off campus, Smith said. Police believe some of the sex acts were forced and others were consensual.
Smith said the suspects were arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and unlawful sex with a minor.
He told reporters there was no evidence to suggest the suspects were involved in any gang activity. He was also asked if the students all belonged to the same club, group or sports team.
"We don't believe they're associated in that manner -- In fact, we're not sure all these 14 individuals know each other," Smith said. "But these are two [alleged] victims and 14 subjects and no single thing ties them all together."
"The Los Angeles Unified School District is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation by LAPD and school police," LAUSD spokesman Thomas Waldman said in a statement. "This is a painful moment for Venice High School, and this district. I want you to know that no sexual misconduct of any kind by students or staff will ever be tolerated in L.A. Unified."
Waldman said the suspects' parents were notified and that crisis counselors were on campus Friday to assist students who might be affected.
Students told CBS Los Angeles reporter Jeff Nguyen the arrests happened after pictures of at least one of the accusers performing sex acts circulated around campus.
"Someone posted it on Instagram, and one of my friends sent it to my other friend," student Elizabeth Alvarez said. "The photo basically came to me, one of my friends sent it to me."
Another student told Nguyen she knows one of the alleged victims.
"She's embarrassed by what the whole school is talking about. So she made up an accusation against people that were football players who have futures that are messed up by her being embarrassed," said freshman Amari Pope.
Students Allen Hernandez and Josh Noonan said they saw two sets of boys being led away from the school Friday morning.
"I saw a look of nervousness and scared," said Hernandez.
"Next thing I see I saw him walking out in handcuffs. Two kids walking out in handcuffs. I saw the investigators and I was [thinking], 'Oh wow. That means something happened,'" said Noonan.
Some parents told Nguyen they found about the arrests from a recorded message from the principal.
"The message said that nine kids were arrested by LAPD for sexual misconduct," said parent Wilfredo Melgar.
Patricia Parker says she ran to campus to pull her son out of school after the news broke.
"Just to see his face and know everything is okay," Parker explained. "And knowing everybody is okay, I feel better."
Meanwhile, CBS Los Angeles reporter Randy Paige said the LAPD was giving out few details, saying the investigation is just beginning and juveniles are involved.
The suspects' families filed into the LAPD's Pacific Station Friday afternoon, asking reporters not to capture images of the juveniles. An attorney for one of the suspects declined CBS Los Angeles' request for comment.