Six former and current South Dakota high school baseball players have been charged with raping two teenagers while participating in a summer tournament, prosecutors said.
Mitchell Post 18 American Legion varsity players Hudson Haley, 18, Landon Waddell, 19, Carter Miller, 18, Peyton Mandel, 17, Karter Sibson, 17, and Lincoln Bates, 18, all pleaded not guilty in court Tuesday to charges of sexual assault against two 16-year-olds in Rapid City in June, KELO reported.
Although the defendant claimed the attack occurred as part of a “team hazing ritual,” Pennington County State’s Attorney Lara Roetzel rejected that characterization — calling what happened to the victim a clear case of “forced assault.”
Haley and Waddell face the steepest charge. Haley is charged with two counts of rape, and aiding and abetting rape, while Waddell faces one count of rape and two counts of aiding and abetting rape.
Four other athletes each face one count of rape and one count of aiding and abetting rape.
Although Waddell and Bates are the only two players who have graduated from high school, all six defendants are being tried as adults.
Six former and current South Dakota high school baseball players have been charged with raping two teenagers while participating in a summer tournament.Google Street View
Because of the additional felony charges, Haley and Waddell face up to 150 years in prison if convicted.
Roetzel warned that there could be charges pending against any adult who learns of a sexual assault and fails to report it immediately.
Officials have been investigating the troubling case since June, when the Mitchell Baseball Association suspended the team after the allegations surfaced against the six players.
Mitchell Post 18 American Legion varsity players Hudson Haley, 18, Landon Waddell, 19, Carter Miller, 18, Peyton Mandel, 17, Karter Sibson, 17, and Lincoln Bates, 18, all pleaded not guilty in court Tuesday to charges of sexual assault against two 16-year-olds in Rapid City in June.KTIV
The victims are both minors and their identities have not been released.
During court Tuesday, Mandel’s attorney revealed that one of the victims went to school with the student when he asked the judge to clarify whether Mandel could still attend class.
The judge ruled that Mandel could attend school but had to stay 30 feet from the victim at all times. Mandel is also allowed to participate in activities and events as long as he stays 100 feet away from the victim.
All six suspects were released on bond, and will be tried again in court on February 6, 2024.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/