Montgomery County police arrested and charged two Rockville High School students with the rape of a juvenile student at the same school, according to police.
Jose O. Montano, 17, whose address is unconfirmed, and Henry E. Sanchez, 18, of Bel Pre Road in Aspen Hill, were charged with first-degree rape and two counts of first-degree sexual offense, according to a news release issued Friday.
Henry Sanchez. Via MCPD
The rape occurred at the school Thursday during school hours, according to police.
The female student reported to school administrators that two male students had sexually assaulted her in a boys bathroom. The school administrators then notified police.
At about 9 a.m., the student was walking in a school hallway when she met two male students, identified as Montano and Sanchez, according to police. Montano asked her to walk with them and ask her to engage in sexual intercourse. She refused, but Montano asked her again and then allegedly forced her into a boy’s bathroom and then into a stall. Montano and Sanchez both raped her inside the stall, according to police.
Special Victims Investigations Division detectives arrested Montano and Sanchez on school property. Montano was charged as an adult. Ramon Korionoff, a spokesman for the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office, said both men were ordered held without bond by a district court judge Friday due to the serious nature of the crime.
He also said Mantano and Sanchez may be a flight risk because they are recent immigrants to the U.S.
Rockville High School Principal Billie-Jean Bensen sent a letter to parents Friday about the incident that said administrators informed police as soon as they became aware of the incident.
"Ensuring a safe, secure and welcoming learning environment for all of our students is our top priority," the letter says. "Our staff remains vigilant in the monitoring of our school each and every day. Please remind your child that if they believe they are a victim of an assault or see something inappropriate, they should immediately tell a staff member."
