Investigation Into Loudoun Schools Sexual Assaults Announced By New Attorney General

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — The Virginia attorney general's office will open an investigation into Loudoun County Public Schools and its handling of sexual assault, Attorney General Jason Miyares announced on Saturday after he was sworn into office.

The investigation was authorized by an executive order signed by newly inaugurated Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

The investigation into Loudoun's schools was one of a pair of investigations the new attorney general announced on his first day in office. Miyares also said he would open an investigation into the Virginia Parole Board.

In 2021, a pair of sexual assaults were reported at different Loudoun County high schools. The same person, a 15-year-old boy, was convicted in both assaults.

The first assault occurred at a bathroom in Stone Bridge High School in May 2021. The boy accused in the assault was then transferred to Broad Run High School, where he was accused of another sexual assault in a classroom in October 2021.

Read more: Teen Sentenced In Loudoun School Sexual Assault Cases: Report

The boy was found guilty of both assaults, and received his sentence earlier this month. He will be required to enter Virginia's sex offender registry, partake in a locked residential program until he is 18 years old, and will be under supervised probation until he is 18 years old.

Currently, the teen is not eligible to ever be removed from the sex offender registry. Some Offenders are eligible for removal after 15 years if they were convicted of a single non-violent offense. The teen was convicted of multiple offenses that were both considered violent.

In November, the Loudoun County school system said leaders hired a law firm to conduct an independent review of the schools' handling of the sexual assaults. The investigation has been completed, though officials have not released the report, citing laws on attorney-client privilege and identifying personnel information.

"One of the reasons Virginians get so fed up with government is a lack of transparency — and that's a big issue here," Miyares said in his statement announcing the investigation in the school system. "Loudoun County Public Schools covered up a sexual assault on school grounds for political gain, leading to an additional assault of a young girl."

The investigation from the attorney general's office is officially open, though Miyares did not provide any timeline.

"I now ask you for time and patience as my team begins the investigations," Miyares said. "Virginians will receive the answers they have desperately asked for."

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center can provide information about reporting and coping with sexual abuse. Their website also features training materials and tips to prevent sexual abuse. The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network operates a 24/7 hotline for victims of sexual assault. The hotline can be reached at 1-800-656-4673.