Police Piece Together Sex Crimes

Memphis, Tn - Memphis police are working a sex crime investigation involving several East High students. They say the victim is a 17-year-old female student. And, she knew at least four of her alleged attackers from school.

No charges have been filed yet. But Sex Crime investigators say they have at least three possible suspects in custody. Two 18-year-olds and one 16-year-old.

Mikaal Allen walked up to FOX 13 at the crime scene of Tuesday's alleged attack. She says she's the mother of one of the five suspects.

"My son didn't do [any] rape. My son is not [a] rapist," Allen said.

Investigators are trying to figure out what happened inside this vacant house in the 200 block of Red Oaks. MPD spokeswoman Karen Rudolph says it involved a 17-year-old East High girl. Rudolph says an 18-year-old boy, also from East High, picked her up from school Tuesday morning.

"She left and they went to a vacant house. When they arrived there, additional suspects were involved," Rudolph said.

"I don't know all the circumstances in it, anytime a victim goes through this kind of crime, it's going to be tough for her. And, she's a kid," Rudolph said.

Rudolph says the victim was taken back to school after the attack. That's when officers were called. Rudolph says of the five men, the victim knew four from school. School Board president Martavius Jones offers his support to the victim's family. But he wants the community to step up.

"They're not being exposed to this at school. There [are] no classes on that in Memphis City Schools. [MCS] has children in class for six, seven hours out of the day," Jones said.

The school district did release a short statement. Part of it says, "Pending the outcome of the MPD investigation, the suspects may face disciplinary action up to an expulsion in accordance with MCS Board Policy. Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), we can not provide any further comment regarding this matter."