<p>My daughter attends a top private school in the NE. Earlier this year a senior boy in their school was charged with raping a Sophomore girl. The charges were recently dropped because apparently there was heavy drinking involved and this boy insisted that sex was consensual. The day after the charges were dropped, my daughter overheard several of this boy's friends talking about the big after-prom party that the parents of this boy will be hosting. Apparently, they were so relieved that the charges were dropped that they are rewarding him by throwing a big after-prom party and supplying all the liquor for him and his friends. The 10th grade girl is devasted and receiving very little support from the school community.</p>
<p>This boy will be attended the US Naval Academy as a recruited athlete in the fall. </p>
<p>This story outrages me on so many different levels. I am really interested to hear what other parents think about this because everyone in our school community is keeping a tight lip.</p>
<p>I am outraged whenever I hear of parents supplying alcohol for teen parties. A few years back, a parent in our area did that. They lived out on several acres in a very high-end area. Unfortunately, there was an accident after the party where a young person was killed. Who is liable? Not the kid; the parents who supplied the booze. They were sentenced to jail, they lost their house, everything. Proud Dad, these parents are just stupid. Certainly there are other ways to celebrate their son's "innocence."</p>
<p>The ironic thing is the accused rape had at (or on the way home-not sure) a parent-hosted teenage drinking party. The other thing I want to stress is that just because charges were dropped does not mean he is innocent!</p>
<p>I absolutely see your concern. It is very troublesome. Regardless of the accused rape - for these parents to be hosting a party with alcohol for teenagers is very risky.
I don't know what state you are in but I have seen cases where parents actually went to jail for sponsoring underage drinking parties.
Obviously, you feel that this young man's character is not worthy of your tax dollars while attending the Naval Academy - given your ancedote - I would be in full agreement with you there. Does the Academy know of these charges? I have no way of knowing that but each entering plebe is required to submit a police report. As for what to do? I guess that is up to you.</p>
<p>JAMo4-
I can't imagine the Navy knows about the charges since the incident occurred after he signed. Also, if the charges are dropped does that mean his police record is clean? I really do not know enough about the law to be sure.</p>
<p>I am not sure if I am more concerned about a potential character flaw in this young man, or the one I perceive in his parents. Easy to cast stones from this distance, but IMO, they all seem to be lacking fundamental good judgement. I did not mean to imply he was innocent. We all know there is a difference between "not guilty" and "innocent." Somewhere in there lies "charges dropped." The thing about dropped charges is they can be picked back up. One would think such a person would walk a very straight and narrow path after such a close call, as opposed to what looks like flaunting from here.</p>
<p>If I remember correctly from my police record check form, it asks to list all incidents, even if the charges were dropped. How he got around that, I don't know... or maybe he hasn't sent it in.
But like JAM04 said, your tax dollars are sending him to college. In my opinion, if you feel he's breaking the law and going to the academy (on your tax dollars) you should report it to the authorities. Even just a heads up to the local PD about the party.</p>
<p>USNA Admissions cannot undertake the belief or presume that he is guilty of rape. If charges have been dropped, regardless of prejudice or without prejudice, the kid is not guilty. To assume that just because charges were once preferred that he is therefore guilty is a violation of his constitutional rights, protected by the due process clause.</p>
<p>However, if the Academy asks to list any incidents relating to charges that were preferred, the Academy could look into his character with respect to underage drinking. From what I have heard, prior applicants, who have drunk underage and been reviewed by the Admission's Character Review Board, have been admitted. But once again, no review on whether he committed rape is permissible, since the military has no jurisdiction and the charges were dropped. The Academy can only assume its consensual.</p>
<p>Of note, if you heard substantiated reports of underage drinking at a possible party, this could be enough evidence to justify probable cause, should they (via yourself) want to investigate this.</p>
<p>If your facts are correct, it sounds like a lapse in good judgment among the parents (and kid).</p>
<p>IMO, I find this sentence most disturbing: "The 10th grade girl is devastated and receiving very little support from the school community." </p>
<p>Is this because he his a stellar athlete? One who should be protected due to his status? We will never know what really happened, but to think of a 15 yr. old girl assaulted makes me ill.
If I had a daughter at Navy, I would be VERY concerned having this information about an incoming Plebe. </p>
<p>I am appalled by the actions of this recruit and his parents. Frankly, IMO this kids senior year history needs to be presented to USNA admissions, the recruiting coach and admin. Let the powers that be decide if this kid is worth the risk.</p>
<p>Jadler03 - Thanks for the info! I've been encouraged to report this incident to the Navy so your info. is important for me to understand.</p>
<p>CelticClan07 - I agree w/ you. My daughter has been one of only a handful of students outside of the victims small circle of friends who has been supportive of this girl. </p>
<p>1) You can report the substantiated claim to the drinking party (the one the parents are hosting) to the LOCAL police. Police are allowed to act on "credible" evidence.</p>
<p>2) You can report the claim via email or writing to USNA Admissions or the Blue & Gold Officer. Realize, that they CANNOT consider the rape allegation. They CAN consider the totality of circumstances....i.e. the use of alcohol (which can question a lapse in judgment) led to an "incident." Also consider, that it will be up to USNA Admissions and/or the BGO to look in to matter after you report it....so it is possible that action may or may not be taken.</p>
<p>Most responders have encouraged me to contact Police re: party and the USNA. One responder warned me that I should be careful because doing so may subject me to a lawsuit... there was even the implication that my post on CC might subect me to a lawsuit.</p>
<p>On a personal level, I am most concerned that our school has not communicated the right message with this situation by seemingly protecting students who continually engage in bad and risky behavior. This has been one of the more extreme examples. At the very least, I intend to talk to the head of school regarding my concerns.</p>
<p>Well, make sure you have the facts right. Personally, if you know the details (the full details) and believe that this kid made a bad judgment BEYOND the drinking....considering that you can't consider rape...then I might consider taking action.</p>
<p>Posting this kind of rumor and innuendo is irresponsible and inappropriate. Jumping to wild conclusions based on the same hearsay is even worse. I don't care whose school we're talking about.</p>
<p>This all seems to be a lot of unsubstantiated rumor. The use of alcohol puts a lot of grey area with the term "rape" and if the kid was acquitted by a court of law, I have to trust that it really wasn't a sexual assault.</p>
<p>As far as rumors about an upcoming party, school rumors are just that- rumors. I'm not a parent, but I think that you should try to work this out within your community and possibly talk to the kids parents before you contact USNA.</p>
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Posting this kind of rumor and innuendo is irresponsible and inappropriate. Jumping to wild conclusions based on the same hearsay is even worse. I don't care whose school we're talking about.
<p>wait a second... if this really did happen, wouldn't this kid still be getting statutory rape, even if the sex was consensual? you said the girl is 15... isn't that under the age of consent?</p>