3 Chicago area teens charged in sexual assault of classmate at graduation party: prosecutors

Summary

• Three teenagers were accused of sexually assaulting their classmates at a graduation party in June.

• Each of the suspects was charged with sexual assault and taken into custody this month.

• The judge decided that one of the suspects should remain in prison and the other two should be released.

ROSELLE, Ill. – Three suburban teenagers charged in connection with incident sexual assault on classmates during the graduation party DuPage County.

What do we know?

The attack took place during a Saint Viator High School graduation party in June, when the suspects allegedly sexually assaulted the victim in a van. RoselleAccording to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Kevin Niemiec, 18, of Prospect Heights, Zachary Mascolo, 18, of Arlington Heights, and Jon Clary II, 18, of Bartlett, were charged with criminal sexual assault.

A judge ordered Niemiec to remain in prison. Prosecutors said Mascolo and Clary were granted pre-trial release but were also ordered not to possess or consume alcohol or have any contact with the victim or her family.

Roselle police were notified of the alleged attack, which occurred the night before, on June 15. Following the attack, the victim went to a friend’s house, where he contacted his sister, who told her parents. The victim’s parents immediately picked him up and took him to a local hospital for medical attention.

On December 17, the judge issued an arrest warrant for three suspects.

Mascolo was detained Sunday while driving near his home. Clary and Niemiec turned themselves into the DuPage County Jail on Monday.

what do they say

“The allegations against these defendants are extremely serious,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. “The graduation party is a celebration of achievements and excitement for a bright future. Mr. Clary, Mr. Mascolo, and Mr. Niemiec are alleged to have raped the victim in the worst possible way, causing permanent harm to a young woman. It is my sincere hope that the victim and her family receive the attention they need and deserve to be helped to cope with this horrific event. I commend the victim in this case for her courage and strength in bringing this matter to our attention.”

What’s next?

Their next hearing will be held in January.