New Jersey high school students charged in alleged hazing of football players

New Jersey high school students are facing criminal charges after allegedly hazing football players in the fall.

A number of students from Wall Township High School are facing hazing, attempted criminal sexual contact, criminal sexual contact, false imprisonment and harassment charges, acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey said Monday.

Another investigation into an incident that occurred outside the school has resulted in one of the juveniles facing additional charges of aggravated sexual assault and sexual assault.

The investigations began after cellphone video emerged from the football team’s locker room. 

Further details were not given about the incidents or how many students have been charged due to the involvement of minors. 

“The results of our investigations necessitated the filing of juvenile complaints against those involved in order to serve the interests of justice,” Linskey said.

One of the attorneys representing a minor in the case told NBC News in a statement that there was nothing sexual about the hazing.

“The prosecutor’s office release of facts related to juvenile charges is unprecedented and grossly irresponsible,” attorney Christopher Adams said.

“There is absolutely nothing sexual about anything that happened in the videos or in the locker room. This was wrestling and horsing around by 15, 16 and 17 year old boys — all dressed — before football practice in front of the coaches. The coaches witnessed this behavior and saw it for what it was — sophomoric, not sexual,” Adams added. “Adding a baseless sex charge is not only unsupported by the facts, but nothing more than playing politics and pandering to the media.”