Police: Hoboken student sexually assaulted classmate while others watched
HOBOKEN, New Jersey (WABC) -- A teenager is under arrest in New Jersey after police say he sexually assaulted a student at his high school.
Authorities say 18-year-old Amir Goodwin forced a 17-year-old female classmate into a bathroom at Hoboken High School and made her perform a sex act.
Several other teens allegedly watched, and investigators say Goodwin recorded it on his cell phone. Three others are also charged.
School surveillance cameras also showed her being forced into the bathroom, police said.
Goodwin faces a number of charges, including criminal sexual contact, criminal restraint, aggravated criminal sexual contact, conspiracy and endangering the welfare of a child
"I want it to be out there that the aggravated sexual assault, that he received a sexual favor is not true," attorney Adrienne Edwards said. "I want that to be clear all across the board that he was not the receiver, because that's a very serious charge."
Edwards said Goodwin has no previous criminal record.
Two 16-year-old students and one 17-year-old student were also arrested and charged, though they are not being identified.
The 17-year-old juvenile is charged with aggravated sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact and kidnapping. The two 16-year-old juveniles were each charged with conspiracy and aggravated criminal sexual contact.
"There will be a thorough investigation of this case, which is deeply disturbing on so many levels; the ages of all the alleged individuals involved, the acts alleged, and the brazenness of where they took place," Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. "Children in school need to feel safe, and parents need to feel confident of their safety. We will continue to investigate and will certainly prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law."
All three juveniles were released with conditions, and their cases are pending in Family Court. Due to confidentiality in juvenile delinquency matters, no additional information can be released.
Hoboken High School released a statement saying:
"An alleged incident was reported to have taken place on November 30, 2017. Hoboken High School is not aware of all of the specifics related to this allegation or investigation and is not in a position to speculate nor to make announcements or statements.
"Hoboken High School has taken direction from the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office regarding communication. The alleged victim reported the incident to a counselor. The counselor immediately brought the alleged victim to the Principal and to a Hoboken Police Department School Resource Officer. The Hoboken Police contacted Prosecutor's Office within minutes due to the nature of the allegation. Therefore, all questions and inquiries should be directed to the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office.
"We ask that judgments be withheld, due to the fact that the investigation is not complete and that the accuracy of facts reported by the news cannot be verified. The Prosecutor's Office has informed us that they have prepared and will be issuing a press release. Each of the students involved in this incident is a member of our school community. We have a legal obligation to protect privacy.
"Hoboken High School takes these allegations seriously and assures families that the school environment is safe and conducive to learning. The Hoboken High School administration has reviewed processes and protocols, and will deliver a host of educational programs for both students and families on topics related to this allegation.
"Hoboken High School has a comprehensive School Based Youth Services Center and qualified staff continue to be available for all students who have questions, need support, or are in need of processing information."
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