LA VERNIA, Texas – Several La Vernia High School students are facing charges of sexual assault in connection with a hazing incident.
The students were arrested on Thursday at the school.
"If that’s how our football team is making headlines, that's really disappointing," Sean Strey, a La Vernia resident, said.
Strey said he was shocked to find out that high school students from his community were arrested this morning at the high school and charged with sexual assault.
The La Vernia Police Department sent a release out on Thursday afternoon, stating they had "received an outcry of hazing involving high school student-athletes."
The release further states:
".. We made contact with several students who gave forensic interviews with the Children's Alliance of South Texas. The results of the interviews confirmed evidence a crime had been committed."
According to parents who contacted KSAT, at least four high school football players were arrested and the hazing has been going on for years.
Several La Vernia High School students arrested on sex assault charges
Patsy Mehr, who retired from the school district earlier this year, said it's hard to believe because the students in La Vernia are "good students."
"It surprises me, honestly, because most of the kids over there are really good kids," Mehr said. "So I'm surprised. I worked for the school system for many years."
La Vernia Independent School District Superintendent Jose Moreno released this statement on the district's website that said, in part:
"… The district is under strict guidelines and is not able to comment on the complaint at this time. Rest assured that every precautionary measure has been taken to ensure that our students are supervised and safe."
Police declined to specify how many students were arrested, but they did say they anticipate more arrests in the future.