Two students at Mark Morris High School in Washington were arrested on criminal charges in connection with an alleged rape investigation, Longview police say
Two students are facing criminal charges in connection with an alleged rape incident at a Washington high school, according to officials and news reports. Officers arrested “two juveniles” at Mark Morris High School in Longview the morning of Thursday, February 19, the city said in a news release shared to Facebook that same day.
The arrests followed allegations of “criminal misconduct” at the school, according to city officials, who did not identify the two juvenile victims because they are minors. They were charged with second-degree rape, unlawful imprisonment with sexual motivation, indecent liberties with forcible compulsion, and indecent exposure, city officials said. The two teenagers were arrested shortly after 8 a.m. on February 19, according to police, KPTV reported. It is unclear whether they had retained legal representation or entered pleas as of Friday, February 20. Archer Breland, a sophomore student at Morris High School, told KPTV on February 19 that he “just saw some kids get pulled out of class and arrested.” Longview police detectives are continuing to investigate evidence and are carrying out interviews in connection with the alleged rape, city officials said. “In addition to the criminal allegations involving juveniles, the department is reviewing matters related to Mandatory Reporting requirements,” the city said. “This review relates to statutory reporting obligations and is part of the broader investigation.” On February 9, students, school district employees, and local residents held a protest outside of Mark Morris High School in connection with how the school responded to the allegations of sexual assault, The Daily News reported. Another protest was held the next day, on February 10. On February 12, the Longview Police Department announced in a news release that detectives executed a search warrant at the high school in relation to “allegations of criminal misconduct involving juveniles.” “These allegations are being treated with the seriousness and sensitivity they deserve,” Longview Police Chief Robert Huhta said in a statement at the time. Though the high school is located in Cowlitz County, prosecutors from Clark County will be prosecuting the two teens, a spokesperson for the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney's Office told KATU. Cowlitz County prosecutors have previously said 'an independent review of this investigation is necessary' because of connections some of the office staff have with those allegedly “involved in the case,” KATU reported. Cowlitz County Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Jurvakainen said in a statement that he and other colleagues have ties to a Mark Morris High School basketball team, which is allegedly linked to the alleged rape investigation, according to The Daily News. The President of the Longview Public Schools Board said in a statement to KATU that “ideally, these kinds of incidents wouldn't happen,” and “when they do, the school has to deal with it, which includes addressing the accused, the victim and the school community as a whole.” The two teens who were arrested were due in court on February 20, according to prosecutors, KATU reported. “The safety of our students remains our first and highest priority,” Chief Huhta said on February 19. “The Longview Police Department will continue to examine every aspect of this case thoroughly and objectively.” If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE .
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