Police and School Officials to Host Town Hall Tonight on Venice High Sex Assault Allegations

Los Angeles Unified School District officials, police and the interim principal of Venice High School will host a community meeting tonight to discuss the recent arrest of one dozen students suspected of taking part in sexual assaults of two girls.

According to the district, the meeting will cover topics including crisis counseling, safety, the status of the investigation and student discipline.

School Police Chief Steve Zipperman is among those scheduled to attend, along with interim Principal Fonna Bishop; area Instructional Superintendent Cheryl Hildreth; area administrator Jan Davis; and mental health services director Pia Escudero.

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The 6:30 p.m. meeting will be held at the high school’s auditorium.

Police suspect 14 students were members of a ring that sexually assaulted a pair of girls both on and off campus, mostly in recent months but with some attacks dating back to December 2013.

Nine of the suspects were arrested Friday morning, a 10th turned himself in later that day, an 11th surrendered Monday and another turned himself in Tuesday. Two students remain at large. The suspects range in age from 14 to 17. The ages of the victims were not released, but police say they are in their mid- teens.

An LAUSD source said a group of male students conspired to pressure girls into having sex, threatening to ruin their reputations. The investigation began when police received information from school administrators about “a possible victim of a possible sexual assault,” according to Los Angeles Police Department Cmdr. Andy Smith said.

LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines said the LAUSD “is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation by LAPD and school police.”

“Parents of the suspects have been notified. This is a painful moment for Venice High School and this district,” Cortines said. “I want you to know that no sexual misconduct of any kind by students or staff will ever be tolerated in L.A. Unified.”

Smith said detectives have no reason to believe there are other victims, but are not ruling out the possibility. He urged anyone with information to call sex crimes detectives, (213) 473-0447; or (877) LAPD-247.

• City News Service

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