Today Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist charged three juvenile males, ages 13, 14 and 17, with rape in the second degree and assault in the second degree for a sexual attack on a 15-year-old girl during a party at her home in Lakebay. The two younger boys pleaded not guilty in Juvenile Court, and a hearing has been set to determine if the 17-year-old will be tried as an adult. All are being held in detention.

“Our community is shocked,” said Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. “The investigation is ongoing and there will be full accountability.”

On March 13, 2016, the victim, her sister and several boys were hanging out in a shed at the victim’s residence. The victim consumed a significant amount of alcohol and passed out in the shed. While she was unconscious, the teen boys tore off her sweatpants and raped her with a marijuana pipe, an alcohol bottle and a lighter. They also tied her ankles with a hair straightener cord and drug her around the shed. The victim’s 14-year-old sister was in the shed during the attack and tried to protect her.

In the morning, the victim’s mother found her passed out in the shed, bloodied and wearing only a t-shirt. She was transported to the hospital and treated for her injuries.

Multiple witnesses told police they received photos and partial videos of the attack via SnapChat, an app that deletes content once it is viewed by the recipient.

Detectives are continuing their investigation into this incident.

Charges are only allegations and a person is presumed innocent unless he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.