High School Wrestlers Charged with Rape of Boys on School Bus

Two boys on a high school wrestling team in Oklahoma say four of their teammates pinned them down on a school bus and inserted their fingers into the boys's anuses, CNN reports.

The suspects and the alleged victims are all boys. According to the network, Oklahoma City TV station KOCO obtained and reported the name of one of the suspects because he is not a minor. Tanner Shane Shipman, 18, and three minor teammates -- two of whom are 17 and one who is 16 -- are charged with raping the two victims on a school bus on January 9.

KOCO reported it happened as the Norman North High School wrestling team was returning home from a tournament in Pauls Valley, Okla. The district attorney viewed audio and video from the school bus before charging the students, the station reported.

Shipman's attorney told CNN that his client pleaded not guilty and an attorney for one of the minors said his client was also fighting the charges.

According to court documents obtained by CNN:

"...soon after the bus left, Shipman helped the others restrain a 16-year-old wrestler under the seats at the back of the bus. Two of the accused allegedly inserted their fingers into the victim's anus over his clothing.

"Shipman forced the teen victim's hand onto his crotch and shouted, 'Touch my balls!' the documents say, and then Shipman and the three others tried to 'lure' a 12-year-old male wrestler to the back of the bus. Shipman allegedly grabbed the victim and dragged him to the back of the bus.

"Soon afterward, the bus driver activated the interior lights and escorted the victim back to his seat, the documents say. Once the lights were turned back off, the alleged victim was persuaded to come to the back of the bus.

"One accused teen allegedly then restrained the victim, while another put a condom over the fingers of one hand and inserted his fingers into the 12-year-old's anus, over his clothing...

"When the bus arrived at Norman North High, the 12-year-old victim was assaulted a second time, the indictment says, as Shipman and the others forced the boy to a secluded area around the corner of the school building. The 12-year-old was restrained while Shipman and another accused teen again inserted fingers into the 12-year-old's anus, the court documents say.

"The boy escaped, but Shipman and the others chased after him, the documents say, and Shipman tackled the young victim, forcing the boy between two parked cars.

"The alleged assault ended when the victim's parent arrived at the parking lot."

KOCO reports that one of the wrestling coaches has quit and the school fired another one.

Dr. Joseph Siano, superintendent of Norman Public Schools issued several statements following the attack, one indicating that the school would begin increased supervision on student trips. "Our hearts break for these victims," Siano wrote, "and our student advocacy coordinators are working closely with them through this traumatic time."

Shipman will be in court for a discovery hearing on February 26 at 10 a.m., according to CNN.

Watch KOCO's report on the attack.