Prosecutors Charge High School Athlete with Sexual Assault for Wrestling Move
A high school athlete in California goes on trial next month on charges of sexual assault stemming from an allegedly invasive version of a wrestling move known as the “butt drag.”
Prosecutors claim Preston Hill of Clovis, Calif., 17, used the wrestling move during practice as a way to retaliate against a younger teammate who refused demands to turn over his water, the New York Times reports. Hill claims he was performing a common wrestling maneuver. He has refused a plea deal, a family representative told the newspaper, because he has done nothing wrong.
“The case, which is expected to go to trial next month, shocked students and parents alike in this Fresno suburb, and brought accusations of both lax supervision by coaches and overzealousness by prosecutors,” the Times story says. “It has also cast an unwelcome pall on high school wrestling, and again raised questions about bullying in schools, particularly in the often macho arena of sports.”
The Fresno Bee was the first to report the story, which has more details on the move that spurred the charges.
