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Steve Belles with Brad Cesmat | 16:18
Ex-Hamilton High School coach Steve Belles talked with Brad Cesmat about hazing, the criminal investigation and his future in coaching.
Sports360AZ
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Nathaniel Thomas arraignment | 2:25
Arraignment of Nathaniel Thomas, a Hamilton High School football player accused of assault, on Thursday, April 13, 2017.
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Attorney defends charged Hamilton player | 2:23
Ken Countryman, the attorney of Hamilton High School football player Nathaniel Thomas, 17, was joined by the teen’s family and friends after the Thomas was granted a bond by a Maricopa County Superior Court judge Wednesday afternoon.
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Nathaniel Thomas released from jail | 0:28
Nathaniel William Thomas, 17, arrested on criminal charges in connection with an assault investigation at Chandler Hamilton High School, was released on bond from a Maricopa County jail on April 6, 2017. Logan Newman/azcentral.com
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Nathaniel Thomas’s initial court appearance | 9:05
Initial court appearance of Nathaniel William Thomas, 17, who was charged with several felony counts in a case which began with allegations of hazing at Hamilton High School in Chandler. Maricopa County Superior Court
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Here’s what we know about the Hamilton High arrests | 0:38
Here’s what we know about the Hamilton High School hazing arrests.
Wochit
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Steve Belles with Brad Cesmat
Nathaniel Thomas arraignment
Attorney defends charged Hamilton player
Nathaniel Thomas released from jail
Nathaniel Thomas’s initial court appearance
Here’s what we know about the Hamilton High arrests
Three administrators at the center of a sexual-abuse and hazing scandal at Hamilton High School have been reassigned to work elsewhere in the Chandler Unified School District, the district announced Friday afternoon.
Chandler school district spokesman Terry Locke said that the district communicated to parents Friday that Principal Ken James, Athletic Director Shawn Rustad and former football coach Steve Belles “will be reassigned to work in other district-related duties away from the Hamilton High campus” starting Monday.
“While none of the employees have been charged, it could be some time before the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office decides how it will proceed,” Locke said. “Therefore, to avoid any distraction caused by this uncertainty, the district administration and employees believe that reassignment is the best course at this time.”
Chris Farabee, an assistant principal at Hamilton High for the past 14 years, will fill in for James as as acting principal. Sharon Vanis, a former Hamilton High athletic director, will step in for Rustad. Another teacher is expected to take over Belles’ history classes.
The district did not specify the new assignments for James, Rustad and Belles.
It has been eight weeks since Chandler police recommended that James, Rustad and Belles be charged with child abuse and failing to report the alleged sexual abuse of five players reportedly assaulted by fellow teammates in a hazing initiation.
No charging decision on the school officials has been made by the County Attorney’s Office. The case remains under review.
“We’re going to hold off on commenting until a charging decision is made,” Amanda Jacinto, the office’s spokeswoman, said when asked about the Chandler school district’s announcement.
Chandler police sought charges against James, Belles and Rustad in late July, saying in a probable-cause statement submitted to prosecutors that the men knew about the alleged assaults but did not contact law enforcement. Instead, they opted to investigate matters themselves, police said.
Belles, who was relieved of his coaching duties, has been teaching full-time this school year.
The criminal charges at Hamilton first rocked the school and Arizona football community in late March.
Police allege that multiple physical and sexual assaults were committed in the football locker room between fall 2015 and January 2017 by multiple members of the football team on freshman players who were new to the varsity team.
Police said assaults occurred at varying levels of criminal offense, including penetration. Victims said they were referred to as “fresh meat” who had to be hazed.
The team didn’t determine initiation “successful” unless there was a form of penetration, police said. Attackers allegedly would manipulate victims’ genitals, push their own genitals into the faces of the victims and slap their buttocks.
Victims also were beaten and physically restrained, police said.
Initially, police identified four victims. But as families of victims filed notices of claim against the Chandler district, another victim stepped forward.
A sixth victim in August reported more alleged sexual attacks, prompting Chandler police to recommend additional charges against James and Belles.
A total of four charges of child abuse are being sought by police against the two men.
The district now faces a potential $34 million in damages over allegations that coaches took steps to cover up hazing on campus.
Three teenagers also face charges in the case.
One player, Nathaniel William Thomas, 17, was charged as an adult with sexual assault and multiple counts of molestation, kidnapping and aggravated assault involving alleged attacks on three victims. His next court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 11.
Two 16-year-old players face charges as juveniles of kidnapping, aggravated assault and assault.
Republic reporter Yihyun Jeong contributed to this article.
READ MORE:
After Hamilton case, many anti-hazing rules same
More charges sought against principal, ex-coach
5th victim emerges in Hamilton High sex assaults
4th victim in Hamilton assault case to seek $7M
Belles takes blame for Hamilton hazing scandal
Email launched Hamilton locker-room assault case
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