Seven people are facing misdemeanor charges as the result of a hazing investigation at Avoca AHST High School. There have been no arrests in the case and school officials are conducting an investigation of their own.
Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber says the seven people involved face charges of Hazing and Simple Assault. All are misdemeanors.
Authorities say that seven freshmen members of the AHST wrestling team were restrained in the hazing incidents on eight occasions.
Authorities say that physical contact was involved but in a statement on the investigation released Wednesday, Wilber said, "it would be inappropriate to file felony sex abuse charges because no sex acts as defined by Iowa law are alleged to have occurred."
Here is the list of those charged in the case:
Citations
Nick Adams, 16: Eight counts of Hazing. Eight counts of Simple Assault
Ross Pattee, 18: Five counts of Hazing. Five counts of Simple Assault
Evan Cook, 16: Two counts of Hazing. Two counts of Simple Assault
Nate Fell, 17: Two counts of Hazing. Two counts of Simple Assault
Thad DeBolt, 16: Two counts of Hazing. Two counts of Simple Assault
Cory Madden, 17: Two counts of Hazing. Two counts of Simple Assault
Joe Gessert, 17: One count of Hazing. One count of Simple Assault.
Superintendent Chuck Scott acknowledged the allegations earlier and said, "Hazing is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Consequences will be administered to those who exercised poor judgment."
We're told that several of the alleged victims have transferred to other schools.
For adults, the charges filed in this case carry a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and or a $500 fine.
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