Two students have been accused of raping their fellow student at Rockville High. Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary condemned the incidence.
One of the offenders is an 18-year-old with a pending immigration case. He and his fellow student assaulted a 14-year-old girl. Spicer also used the Maryland rape case to explain why the President is making illegal immigration a priority.
The two suspects was identified as Henry E. Sanchez, 18, and Jose O. Montano, 17. The incident happened Thursday in a bathroom stall during school hours at Rockville High School. The two approached the 14-year-old girl in a hallway and they asked her to walk with them. Montano asked her for sex, she refused and they forced her into the bathroom.
Spicer said that the incident was a tragic event that no child, no person, and no parent should ever have to deal with.He emphasized that schools should be a safe place for their children.
Sanchez admitted that he had sex with the victim. He has also had a pending immigration case since August.Montano was charged as an adult. He was born in El Salvador where he lived for 16 years.
Sean Spicer said that part of the reason that the President has made illegal immigration and crackdown such a big deal is because of such incidents.
Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Jack Smith said that the incident was horrible. He also said that parents should know that our schools are safe.
Sean Spicer also mentioned that he won’t allow the assault to be a political issue. Spicer also questioned the age of the suspects since they have been called ninth graders and
he asked why 17 or 18-year-old should be put into the ninth grade.
In response, Smith said that the students entered the school system in the fall with no credits. That makes them freshmen despite their ages. The girl who was raped is in the ninth grade. Spicer said that crime is just one aspect of immigration policy.
The Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan also commented on the crime. He said that he is outraged by the brutal and violent rape of a 14-year-old girl in a Rockville public school.
He said that his prayers are with the victim. He also made a Facebook post saying that The State of Maryland is calling on Montgomery County to immediately and fully cooperate with all federal authorities during the investigation of this heinous crime.
He emphasized that the public has the right to know how the tragedy happened in a public school.The school system was also accused by Hogan for withholding information from the Maryland State Board of Education on the rape and the students involved.
It is alleged that the school system was not cooperating with Montgomery County government and the Montgomery County police.
Montano and Sanchez were arrested by investigators on school property. The two are charged with first-degree rape and two counts of first-degree sexual assault.
Ramon Korionoff, the Montgomery County State’s Attorney's Office spokesman said that the allegations are very serious and that they carry a life sentence. He also said that there’s a potential of life in prison.
The suspects were ordered held without bond. Montano is charged as an adult. However, a court-appointed attorney wants him moved to a juvenile facility.
The records in Montgomery County Public Schools shows that 27 high school sexual assaults or sexual incidents requiring police response in the previous school year, including at least one incident at Rockville High School.
