Off-Campus Sex Assault Probe Launched Amid Wall Hazing Investigation

WALL, NJ — Following allegations of hazing and sexual assault within Wall High School, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office (MCPO) confirmed Tuesday that it is conducting two separate investigations.

One investigation is looking into "allegations that acts of hazing occurred within the Wall Township High School football program" and a second one is following "unrelated allegations that one or more sexual assaults involving juveniles took place off campus," according to a statement released Tuesday afternoon.

"As these investigations unfold, we remain fully aware of the intense focus and unique pressure a national media spotlight has placed on the Wall Township High School community, and are sensitive to safeguarding the mental health and general well-being of students while simultaneously serving the interests of justice," Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey said.

The prosecutor said that members of the Wall Township Police Department had been involved in the investigation in its early stages, but has since been taken off "out of an abundance of caution, and in order to avoid any appearance of impropriety and to protect the integrity of the investigations."

Multiple MCPO assistant prosecutors and detectives have been assigned to manage the continuing investigations, Lisnskey said.

The prosecutor said that because these involve juvenile records they are strictly confidential under state law and the office can't release more information at the moment. As the defendants are under 18, their identities will be kept confidential.

Linskey also said that the MCPO intends to issue future statements as more information becomes available.

"These statements will constitute the only definitive factual accounts of the investigations, made at the appropriate times, and the Prosecutor’s Office strongly urges against the spread of misinformation and rumor, both online and otherwise," the statement read.

“We are conducting these investigations with the utmost diligence, dedicating every necessary resource in order to uncover the entire truth, and this process will be thorough, fair, and unbiased from beginning to end," Linskey said.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Det. Jose Rodriguez at 732-431-7160, ext. 7172. Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about this or any crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 800-671-4400.

School district officials confirmed last week that authorities were investigating the hazing allegations, at least one of which involves about half a dozen older players pinning down a younger player in the locker room, two parents told NJ.com.

At least one student who was also implicated in the hazing allegations within the football program at the high school is facing a separate charge and has been accused of sexually assaulting at least one girl in an unrelated incident, according to New Jersey 101.5.

Three coaches who are also teachers have been put on leave at this point, a spokesperson from the New Jersey Education Association Dawn Hiltner told Patch.

"We have assigned NJEA attorneys to work with them," said Hiltner, adding that she was unsure of how long their leave would be.

Wall's Thanksgiving football game was canceled, the superintendent of schools announced on Tuesday, putting an end to their season.

More details about the hazing probe will likely be discussed Tuesday night at the Board of Education meeting. Listed on the agenda items is "Superintendent's Report on Allegations."

The meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Wall High School Auditorium.

Have a news tip, correction or comment? Email catarina.moura@patch.com.