KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasStudent Charged in Hazing is Under House Arrest

Student Charged in Hazing is Under House Arrest

A Sierra Vista High School student appeared in court Thursday for a hearing. He is accused of taking a basketball hazing too far. The 17-year-old boy is accused of sexually assaulting another boy during an alleged incident at the school.

The teen suspect stood in court handcuffed, shackled, and wearing a juvenile justice system-issued uniform. He is facing five counts of criminal behavior. He is charged with one count of sexual assault, two counts of open and gross lewdness and two counts of battery.

Prosecutors wanted to keep the boy in custody, but Judge William Voy placed him under house arrest. The judge said at this point there are only allegations, nothing has been proven. Still, the judge sternly warned the suspect to observe the rules of house arrest.

Judge Voy said, "Observe the rules, and you'll remain at that status. Understand? If you can't observe the rules we're going bring you back here and resolve the case while you're in custody. Got it?"

Investigators say the teen was one of several Sierra Vista H.S. basketball players suspended from the team and from school after a 14-year-old alleged he was held down, fondled and abused on Feb. 3.

On Wednesday, District Attorney David Roger said the locker room pile-up quickly turned from harmless taunting to sexual assault. "There were a number of individuals involved in the dog pile, and it's high school antics but this individual took it a step farther, committed acts of violence and that's the reason why we're charging him."

Roger says it's up to the school district to discipline the other students involved because their behavior did not reach a criminal level.

While the suspect's family was in court Eyewitness News did not see the alleged victim, or his family. Neither the prosecutors, defense, nor the suspect's family wanted to speak after the hearing.

The next hearing in this case is set for April. At that point, the suspect will enter a plea.

Email reporter Adrain Arambulo at aarambulo@klastv.com