Westminster Student Charged with Sexual Assault of Fellow Classmate

Police have charged a 17-year-old football player from Westminster School with sexual assault of a fellow teammate, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

William Jackson Houk sat in Fulton County Jail on Monday after turning himself in to police on Sunday.

The AJC reports that Houk sexually assaulted his teammate in the gym showers on Oct. 22 and is now charged with aggravated sexual battery, and no bond has been set.

According to Georgia law, aggravated sexual battery is when a “foreign object” is inserted into the body of another person. Parole is unlikely unless there is a life sentence, and in those instances, parole is only available after 30 years has been served, AJC reports. A conviction of aggravated sexual battery carries a 25-year sentence.

The school learned of the assault when coaches overheard players discussing it and asked the alleged victim about it.

In a letter to parents and school stakeholders, school president William Clarkson wrote,

“I write to you in order to express deep concern regarding an incident that took place last week involving a few students on the varsity football team. I can assure you that we have taken all steps within the school’s strict guidelines and protocols regarding such matters, including the fulfillment of our responsibility to report this particular incident to the Atlanta police. They are now in charge of the investigation, and we are cooperating fully with them.”