In February, 2017, members of the Hamilton High School football team, including six players, five juveniles and one adult, were involved in acts of sexual and physical assault, and kidnapping against other members of the football team, according to Chandler Police. On March 29, 2017, Chandler Police detectives arrested the students, who were all charged with crimes ranging from sexual assault and kidnapping to aggravated assault.
At the time of the arrests, Chandler Police detectives had four confirmed victims. The total number of victims has grown to six.
On March 30 the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office filed criminal charges against three teenagers for the hazing. One 17-year-old, Nathaniel William Thomas, was charged as an adult with Sex Assault, Kidnapping and Aggravated Assault. Two 16-year-olds were charged with Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault, and Assault in juvenile court.
On June 1, 2017, Chandler Police detectives detectives executed a search warrant at Hamilton High School. Detectives discovered that three faculty members, former Head Football Coach Steve Belles, Principal Ken James, and Athletic Director Shawn Rustad, may have been aware of the criminal acts, but did not report the incidents to police.
The crimes occurred in the locker room of the school.
On July 21, 2017, Chandler Police recommended that Belles, James, and Rustad be charged. Authorities recommended a charge of one count of Failure to Report and four counts of Child Abuse against Belles, two counts of Failure to Report and four counts of Child Abuse against James, and one count of Failure to Report against Rustad.
Of the six juvenile male victims, four were victimized after the faculty members allegedly learned of the criminal activity.
Detectives believe there may be additional victims.
If you are a victim, or if your child is a victim, call either Silent Witness at (480) WITNESS or the Chandler Police Department at (480) 782-4130.