MARIPOSA – The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office has initiated a criminal investigation into allegations that a 16-year-old male student at Mariposa County High School sexually assaulted a 17-year-old female student on campus.
The alleged assault reportedly occurred on May 21, just after a music concert.The suspect is reported to have carried the victim to an inconspicuous area on campus and forcibly touched areas of the victim’s body against her will and without her consent. The victim verbally and forcibly resisted the attack.
After taking statements and gathering evidence, the investigating deputy obtained an arrest warrant for the suspect. On May 28, the day of the initial report, the suspect was arrested and booked on felony charges. Bail was set at $100,000.
The following day, May 29, the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office spoke with a second female student who also reported being assaulted by the same male suspect.
She reported that, after school hours, the suspect forcibly held her against the High School Gym wall and wouldn’t allow her to leave.
The victim says she fought back, biting the suspect several times on his upper body. The suspect let go and reproached the victim, again grabbing her, and again she fought back biting the suspect. The victim was able to break away and quickly walk to where other students were located.
The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office is working with the Mariposa County District Attorney’s Office and the Mariposa County School District to identify all facts surrounding these incidents. Sheriff Doug Binnewies says all agencies involved are working together with their focus on providing a safe and secure high school campus.
The Mariposa County Probation Department is responsible for the detainment of the suspect.
“This is a very serious and troubling assault investigation,” says Sheriff Binnewies. “Obviously I don’t want to pre-convict this young man, but if these allegations against him are proven true, he absolutely needs to face the full consequences.”
