High School Wrestlers Accused Of Raping Teammates

DA: "Invading another person’s body, it’s more than just like a pink belly or razzing somebody."
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Disturbing allegations have been levied against four high school wrestlers in Oklahoma, who police say raped two teammates after a wrestling meet.

According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by The Huffington Post, two boys, ages 12 and 16, told police that teammates on the Norman North High School wrestling squad sexually assaulted them on a school bus following a Jan. 9 tournament.

During the bus ride, a wrestler identified by police as 18-year-old Tanner Shane Shipman, allegedly restrained the 16-year-old victim while two friends "spent several minutes inserting their fingers into [the victim's] anus, over the clothing," the affidavit reads.

"At the conclusion of this assault, Tanner forces [the victim's] hand onto his crotch and states 'Touch my balls,'" the document continues.

Tanner Shipman after his Tuesday arraignment. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Tanner Shipman after his Tuesday arraignment. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
KOCO.com

During the assault, Shipman allegedly yelled he could "feel [the victim's] pelvis bone," police said, according to Oklahoma City's KWTV.

Shipman and another teammate allegedly committed a similar assault on the 12-year-old.

"At that time, one of Tanner's friends restrains [the victim] while another places a condom over the fingers of one of his hands and inserts the fingers in the [victim's] anus, over the clothing," the affidavit reads.

The youth was assaulted a second time after the bus arrived back on campus.

"Invading another person’s body, it’s more than just like a pink belly or razzing somebody," Garvin County District Attorney Greg Mashburn told KWTV. "There’s no other word to describe it than a sexual assault that occurred."

Shipman has been charged as an adult with two counts of first-degree rape by instrumentation to a victim under age 14, and one count of rape by instrumentation by force and fear. Two of his teammates, ages 16 and 17, are currently facing the same charges.

The fourth suspect, age 17, is facing a single count of rape by instrumentation.

The students were arraigned Tuesday, at which time they each entered pleas of not guilty to the charges. Garvin County Judge Trisha Miska set bail for all four teens at $5,000, The Enid News & Eagle reported.

The four suspects have been suspended from school. An adjunct coach who was responsible for supervising them on the bus has been dismissed and a second coach resigned.

"Student safety is a top priority. This is an ongoing investigation and we will continue to work with police to pursue any appropriate criminal charges," Alesha Leemaster, director of communications and community relations for Norman Public Schools, said in a statement obtained by Oklahoma City's KOCO‑TV.

A preliminary hearing in the case has been set for April 14.

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