Football Players Charged With Assaulting Cheerleader Released After Posting Bond

October 21, 2008 - 11:22 AM

Two high school football players have been released from jail after posting bond on charges of sexually assaulting a cheerleader, and the girl's father tells KFDM News he's outraged at what he calls the low bond that enabled the teens to be released from jail less than 24 hours after they were arrested.

18 year old Christian Rountree and 17 year old Rakheem Bolton, both football players at Silsbee High School, each posted $100,000 bonds and were released from the Hardin County Jail.

A 16 year old Silsbee High School football player has also been charged and placed in juvenile detention.

As KFDM reported Monday, Bolton and Rountree were charged with sexually assaulting a cheerleader at a party in Silsbee.

Silsbee Police were called to a home at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

In a court document obtained by KFDM News, the cheerleader states Rountree, Bolton and the 16 year old player forced her into a room, held her down and sexually assaulted her.

The court document alleges Bolton and Rountree fled through a window after other people tried to get into the room.

According to the document, Bolton left behind a pair of men's shorts and returned to the scene and "upon threats of violence retrieved his shorts."

The cheerleader was taken to a hospital where a nurse did a sexual assault examination. It could take three to four months to process the evidence.

Officers say they found DNA evidence that could possibly link at least one of the teens to what happened.

The cheerleader's father spoke with KFDM News by phone Tuesday and discussed the bonds.

"The bonds shouldn't be accepted. Something needs to be done where that can't happen in the system."

He also talked about his daughter's return to school. She attended cheerleader practice Monday and went back to class Tuesday. Friends and fellow students helped provide support, according to her father, who said the district made clear it has zero tolerance for any harassment.

"Some people mouthed off. The school said it wouldn't tolerate people throwing insults at her and disrupting class. She was a little nervous before going in to school. She went through her day as normal as she could."

The cheerleader's father told us the day went "pretty well" for her, considering everything that has happened.

Silsbee Police Chief Dennis Allen tells KFDM News a fourth teen could also face charges.

Chief Allen says investigators are in the process of interviewing several witnesses. He also says investigators are looking into allegations that teenagers were able to drink at the party. He says if there is evidence to prove that allegation the homeowner might also face charges.

A conviction for sexual assault of a child is a second degree felony. It can bring a punishment of up to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

The cheerleader's father called KFDM News on Monday and talked about the investigation. He didn't want his name used, nor his daughter's. He told us, "I want the case made public and I want it prosecuted to the maximum.  I'm outraged this happened to my daughter.  In today's society, it's all about 'me' and what 'I' want to do.  It doesn't excuse you to do these things and think they can get away with it.  You see it in the college and professional ranks.  Now you're seeing it more and more in high schools. They need to know who her parents are. She's doing okay. She has a lot of me in her. She's strong willed and determined."

The cheerleader's father said she'll be at school Tuesday because she knows if she stays away, "the football players win."

Silsbee ISD released a statement saying it's prohibited from disclosing or commenting on confidential student disciplinary matters, or from acknowledging that student disciplinary actions have, or have not, been taken, or that such actions are under consideration.