STEUBENVILLE, Ohio - Two 16-year-old males who are students at Steubenville High School were arrested late Tuesday and are expected to be charged with rape today in juvenile court in connection with an alleged sexual assault that occurred about a week ago.
One juvenile was arrested at his house by Steubenville Police. The other juvenile was arrested at his residence in the county by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.
Steubenville Police Chief William McCafferty said the investigation is ongoing by the department's juvenile division.
The juveniles were lodged in the county's juvenile detention center following their arrest.
A detention hearing was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. today before Juvenile Judge Sam Kerr, in which a determination will be made whether the defendants will remain held in the detention center. Kerr also was expected to make a decision on releasing the names of the juveniles.
Police began an investigation after parents came to the police station on Aug. 14 to report a sexual assault involving their daughter.
Jefferson County Prosecutor Jane Hanlin said the investigation continues as to others who may have participated in the sexual assault or may have videotaped or photographed the incident.
The prosecutor's office has assisted Steubenville Police throughout the investigation. Hanlin said other charges in addition to rape may be filed against the two juveniles in custody.
Hanlin had said she will step aside in prosecuting the case because she personally knows some of the juveniles named in the investigation. She said an official determination is pending as to whether she will ask the Ohio Attorney General's office to take over the prosecution.
Michael McVey, Steubenville City Schools superintendent, said Tuesday that he is aware of an investigation into an alleged sexual assault that may involve students at the district's high school, but he said the matter is in the hands of the Steubenville Police juvenile division.
"We are aware an investigation is ongoing," McVey said. "No charges have come across my desk. Until they get all the facts in, it is in the hands of the prosecutor and City Police."
McVey said he has no idea of the facts in the case or who may be involved.
"When charges are filed, we will deal with it. We are waiting to see what happens and what we can do once charges are filed," McVey said.
Earlier, Steubenville Police and the sheriff's department executed a search warrant and confiscated several cell phones. The names of the people who had the cell phones were included in the search warrant. The search warrant has been sealed under orders of Common Pleas Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr. because the affidavit to get the search warrant included names of juveniles.
(Law can be contacted at mlaw@heraldstaronline.com)
