WARREN, Mich. (WXYZ) — Four of the seven De La Salle High School students involved in a hazing scandal will be arraigned Monday.
The students were given the weekend to turn themselves in to police.
All seven have been charged with Assault and Battery - five as adults, two as juveniles. The juveniles were 16 at the time.
Glaiko Lovelace, 17, Ricky Pearson, 18, Sean Bonery, 18 and Michael Young, 18 were all charged. All four pleaded not guilty and were given personal bonds and ordered to not have contact with the victims.
The charges are directly tied to new evidence after a new parent came forward after the St. Clair County Prosecutor originally declined to press charges the day before. Sources tell us there are two victims in the case, and new evidence was learned after that parent came forward.
In November 2019, the St. Clair County prosecutor took over the investigation involving the Warren De La Salle football team.
The students involved in the investigation filed a lawsuit, claiming they are being discriminated against due to their race. They note that of the 13 students initially implicated, the only students who were suspended are minorities, while the remaining ten students have faced "no discipline whatsoever" and are Caucasian.
De La Salle released the following statement:
It is being reported in the media today that the Saint Clair Prosecutor’s Office will be charging seven of our students-athletes. We have not been contacted by the prosecutor’s office. The leadership at De La Salle Collegiate will continue to cooperate with local law enforcement and the prosecutor’s office as they engage this case. Our faculty, staff, and leadership team will continue to take appropriate action based upon the facts around this incident and to ensure that it does not occur in the future.
De La Salle remains committed to creating a safe and positive environment for every student within its school community, and will continue to provide support to the students and families involved in this matter. De La Salle has and will continue to provide assistance to the students impacted by these events.
When issues of safety arise, the school will always take immediate action to safeguard students. In doing so, the school is mandated by law to conduct an internal investigation regarding the problem or issue while fully cooperating with local law enforcement.
De La Salle is student centered. The school is a place where every student has an opportunity to excel in academics, the arts, and athletics. Our graduates are making a difference in the community today and around the world. De La Salle continues to appreciate the suggestions and words of support that have been extended to our school by our alumni, donors, and the families within our educational community.
In the year to come, De La Salle expects to continue its tradition of outstanding football programs. Over its storied history, the De La Salle football program has been committed to helping young men live out Lasallian Catholic values.
De La Salle is a renowned Lasallian Catholic college preparatory school helping form exceptional young men who are centered on education, respect, faith, and inclusivity to positively challenge and impact one another, the greater community, and the future.
