Four former Bixby High School football players were charged Thursday for the rape of a teammate.
Colton Cable, Samuel Lakin and William Thomas, all 17; and Joe Wood, 16, each face one count of second-degree rape by instrumentation. Rogers County District Attorney Matt Ballard, acting as the special prosecutor in the case, charged the four teens as youthful offenders, a special classification for minors who commit serious crimes.
Second-degree rape by instrumentation can be punished by up to 15 years in prison.
The charges don't signal the end of the investigation.
"Aside from the charges filed today ... there is an ongoing investigation into possible actions by several adults related to the potential crimes," said Michelle Lowry, Ballard's spokeswoman.
A 16-year-old Bixby High School student said he was held down and had a pool cue forced into his anus by Cable, Lakin, Thomas and Joe Wood during a Sept. 27 team dinner at former Bixby Superintendent Kyle Wood's house. Kyle Wood is Joe Wood's father. Kyle Wood resigned as superintendent in December.
The victim told investigators that was the second time he'd been raped with a pool cue by his teammates.
According to an affidavit, the victim reported the assault to Bixby Athletic Director Jay Bittle on Oct. 26, but the first report to law enforcement was Oct. 31. The affidavit also indicates Kyle Wood would not let school officials report the incident until Nov. 2.
A multicounty grand jury has been looking into the Bixby case.
