Damascus Locker Room Unsupervised During Assault: Superintendent

GERMANTOWN, MD — An internal investigation into rape allegations against multiple Damascus High School football players found that the students were unsupervised during the time of the assault.

The findings come more than six months after the alleged junior varsity locker-room attack took place. Four 15-year-old boys are accused of raping several of their teammates with a broom handle in a hazing ritual called "brooming" on Oct. 31, 2018. Both the State's Attorney's Office and the county school system have launched investigations into allegations of assault, bullying, and hazing at the high school.

At a press conference Tuesday, Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Jack Smith said there was no direct supervision of the boys' locker room, which overtly contradicts the extracurricular supervision protocols enforced by the school system.

"Coaches must supervise student athletes at all times, before and after practices and contests at both home and away sites," Smith said.

The coaches, who were responsible for supervising the junior varsity football players, were running late and — according to Smith — those "delays were not adequately communicated to other coaches or staff on site."

"Between approximately 2:50 p.m. and 3:15 p.m., the boys' locker room at Damascus High School was without any direct adult supervision. This period is after the varsity football team leaves the locker room to start their practice and before the (junior varsity) football team reports to the practice field," Smith said.

It was during that 25-minute period that he said the alleged attacks happened.

According to court documents, the four football players — who were initially charged as adults with rape and attempted rape — are accused of turning off the lights, pushing or pinning down four of their teammates, and sexually assaulting them with a broom handle in a hazing ritual called "brooming." Their cases have been transferred back to the juvenile court system.

"While there was nothing to suggest the coaches could have reasonably expected a sexual assault to occur in the locker room in the absence of supervision, the lack of protocols in place to ensure coverage in the locker room was unacceptable," Smith said.

Smith also said the investigation found that school officials involved Montgomery County Police within a reasonable amount of time.

That finding comes nearly two months after The Washington Post reported that Damascus High School officials waited more than 12 hours to tell authorities about the rape allegations. Before reaching out to Montgomery County Police, the school officials discussed the incident in a group text message and launched their own investigation.

On Nov. 1, they pulled students out of class for interviews and were able to glean more details about the incident — including the identities of several victims and suspects.

According to the newspaper, none of the victims were sent to receive medical care following the alleged attack. Their parents weren't notified of what happened either.

"Looking at the events of that evening as reported by the media, some may criticize this finding and argue that school staff should have reported more quickly, even if some details remained unsettled and unclear," Smith said in a letter to the students and parents. "In hindsight, it is of course possible to second guess complex and evolving circumstances."

He added that the district will review school policies and re-emphasize the need for vigilance in reporting sexual assault allegations.

In his letter, Smith explained that he couldn't reveal any specific personnel actions because of legal reasons. He, however, did reveal that administrators have taken "appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the Employee Code of Conduct."

One of the biggest staff shakeups involved Damascus High School Principal Casey Crouse, who resigned on May 7. Though Crouse has transitioned to another position in the school system, she will receive the same salary, which is $160,763, as when she was principal, Bethesda Beat reported.

A couple of staff members in the athletic program also weren't sparred.

Vincent Colbert, the junior varsity football coach, has been let go, according to Smith. So has Damascus High School athletic director Joe Doody, who was previously placed on administrative leave. While Doody has been fired, Smith said he will remain in the school system as a teacher. It is unclear where the former athletic director will be placed.

In the meantime, the high school will be looking for a new athletic director and junior varsity football coaching staff.

The entire football program will also be under probationary oversight by the MCPS Systemwide Athletics Unit for the next academic year.

"This means that central services staff, working collaboratively with the school's leadership team, will closely monitor the football program at Damascus High School to ensure it is in full compliance with all MCPS and State of Maryland rules, regulations and protocols," Smith said.

Despite these changes, Smith said students at Damascus High School are thriving, a feat that should be recognized.

"In the frenzy of media coverage around this incident, it's very easy to forget that each day students at Damascus High School are doing amazing things," Smith said. "They are smart, strong, and resilient. We're so proud of these students."

"This has been a very difficult time for them, their school, and their community. We will continue to have mental health support there, but they have done amazing things."

SEE ALSO:

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• Broomstick Rape Case: Damascus Teen To Be Tried As Juvenile
• Broomstick Rape Case: 2nd Damascus Teen To Be Tried As Juvenile
• Locker Room Rape Case: Third Teen To Be Tried As Juvenile
• Locker Room Rape Case: ADHD Defense Called 'Offensive'