Basketball players charged in Ooltewah rape case scheduled to appear in court

Ooltewah High School sign
Ooltewah High School sign

The three former Ooltewah High School basketball players charged with raping a 15-year-old basketball teammate are scheduled to appear in Sevier County Juvenile Court on March 15.

According to an official with Sevier County Juvenile Court, the boys will appear before Judge Dwight Stokes since the alleged assault took place in Gatlinburg, Tenn., during the team's trip to compete in the Smokey Mountain Classic basketball tournament.

According to Sevier County Juvenile Court records signed by Stokes, two 16-year-old juveniles and a 17-year-old are charged with aggravated rape and aggravated assault in connection with an incident on Dec. 22 that sent their teammate to the hospital for emergency surgery.

The 15-year-old required surgery to repair his colon and bladder, which were allegedly ruptured by a pool cue during the assault, court records state.

The two 16-year-olds each were approved for $5,000 bonds. The court has not released records stating whether the 17-year-old also charged in the case has received bond.

According to the documents signed by Stokes, none of the boys have a previous record, and each of the defendants and their families have been cooperative with Detective Rodney Burns of the Gatlinburg Police Department.

Documents also say all three boys are not permitted to return to the same school as any of the victims in this case, and "any school placement is to be determined by the school system as deemed appropriate."

Hamilton County District Attorney Neal Pinkston filed charges against three adults in connection with the alleged rape of the 15-year-old. Ooltewah's head coach Andre "Tank" Montgomery, assistant coach Karl Williams and Athletic Director Allard "Jesse" Nayadley all have been charged with failing to report child abuse or suspected child abuse, a class A misdemeanor in Tennessee.

Hamilton County Juvenile Court Judge Rob Philyaw denied motions to dismiss the case on Jan. 21. Philyaw formally entered his motion stating why he denied the motions to dismiss Friday.

All three men are scheduled to appear before Philyaw again for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 15.

Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592. Follow on Twitter @kendi_and.

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