Police have arrested 12 Venice High School students and are looking for two more as part of an ongoing sex crimes investigation.
A 12th Venice High School student surrendered Tuesday as detectives investigate a series of alleged sex crimes that began over a year ago, according to The Los Angeles Times. The arrests began after police were informed of the allegations by school officials.
The victims are two female students, and the charges include sexual assault and lewd acts with a minor. The boys allegedly threatened to harm two female classmates’ reputations in order to coerce them into sex acts, some consensual and others forced.
Authorities are not revealing additional details, citing the juvenile status of the victims and the accused.
Crisis counselors have been on the California high school’s campus since Friday.
