Crime & Safety

Football Hazing Allegations Investigated At High School: Report

Montgomery County Police are investigating hazing charges, including sexual offenses, involving JV football players at Damascus High School.

ROCKVILLE, MD — The Montgomery County Police Department is investigating "serious allegations" of assault involving the junior varsity football team at Damascus High School, a local TV station reports. Officials say the allegations include sexual offenses, and may be criminal.

In a letter to parents and guardians, Damascus High School principal Casey Crouse acknowledged the allegations, saying they were "upsetting and unacceptable," WJLA reports.

"The alleged behavior is upsetting and unacceptable and will not be tolerated at Damascus HS. In response to these allegations, we have forfeited today's junior varsity football game. Any student who is found to have hazed another student will be disciplined in accordance with the MCPS Student Code of Conduct and may also face legal consequences," the TV station said, quoting what it said was the principal's letter to parents.

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In the letter, Crouse said the allegations did not involve the varsity football team.

WJLA reports the hazing involved a wooden broomstick in a locker room.

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The Washington Post said Damascus forfeited Thursday's junior varsity football game against Sherwood after school administrators learned of the allegations against students.

School spokesman Derek Turner told the Post some junior varsity players reportedly attacked teammates Wednesday in a locker room.

Police say this is an ongoing investigation. No other information regarding the incident was immediately released.


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