THE BRONX — An athletic director and two coaches at the elite Bronx High School of Science have been suspended after a freshman was allegedly hazed and forcibly touched by three of his track teammates, according to reports.
The three students, ages 16 and 17, whose names DNAinfo.com New York is withholding, were arrested Feb. 27 and accused of threatening and inappropriately touching a freshman boy "numerous" times over the past three months at the West 205th Street school, according to the Bronx District Attorney's office.
The Department of Education has suspended an athletic director and two track coaches in connection with the alleged hazing, The New York Times and Daily News reported.
A DOE spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday evening.
The three teens are accused of holding the victim down and sodomizing him with their fingers through his clothing on several occasions at the school, according to the criminal complaint.
The students are also accused of threatening the victim, saying, "You're going to get a rape," the complaint says.
The three students were charged with forcible touching, assault, hazing and harassment and were released without bail after pleading not guilty last week, the DA's office said.
Students outside Bronx Science said Tuesday afternoon that they were shocked by the graphic allegations.
"I was really surprised," said Wilson Hernandez, 15, a sophomore. "It's not something I want my school to be associated with. But I don't know [the students who were arrested], so I'm going to wait to pass judgment."
A couple of students said the three teens who were arrested were "really sweet" and "the nicest people," which made the charges even more surprising.
The three students are next scheduled to appear in court March 8.
With reporting by Elizabeth Barber
