A New Mexico high school football coach resigned Wednesday after being placed on administrative leave twice following reports of a hazing incident that may have involved sexual assault, according to local news reports.
Andrew Martinez, Santa Fe High School (SFHS) Demons football team coach; announced His resignation was announced via the team’s Twitter account.
“My time at Santa Fe High School will always be special to my wife and I,” he wrote. “Thank you to everyone who was involved. [sic] They have always supported us. You will always hold a special place in our hearts. ”
Resignations come after Santa Fe Public Schools (SFPS) said SFPS learned of an “alleged incident involving a student-athlete on the Santa Fe High School football team” on Oct. 8. SFPS added that it is working with the Santa Fe Police Department (SFPD) to investigate the matter.
“The allegation was that the student was held down and another student put his genitals in his mouth,” SFPD Deputy Chief Benjamin Valdez said. said KOAT News. (Related: ‘Heartbreaking’: Video of college baseball player allegedly sexually harassing student released)
police report obtained The newspaper reported that the alleged victim, a 14-year-old male whose name was redacted, was restrained in the locker room for about 90 seconds despite physical and verbal protests. Another student then touched the victim’s cheeks and mouth with his testicles, the report said.
The suspect left while the alleged victim stayed behind to wash his face, the newspaper said. Afterwards, he reportedly vomited.
SFPS reportedly placed Martinez on administrative leave twice after reports of the alleged incident surfaced.
SFPS also said on October 8 that it is treating the issue with “the utmost seriousness” and maintains a “strict zero-tolerance policy regarding hazing.”
“Students involved in hazing, whether participants, organizers, or bystanders, may be subject to serious disciplinary action, including suspension and expulsion,” SFPS added.
Police are actively investigating the matter and have a probable cause for the alleged incident, Valdez said.
SFPS spokeswoman Tara Melton said the school also suspended some students.
“The school responded quickly. Because members of the football team were involved, they dealt with some of the students administratively, as well as some of the coaching staff,” Valdez said. told the same media.
No charges have been filed yet, but police are considering filing felony sexual assault and kidnapping charges once the investigation is complete, Valdez said.
SFPS Superintendent Hilario Chavez said all SFPS student-athletes will now be required to take an online anti-fog class each sports season.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, told the outlet she was “concerned about what’s going on in our schools” and was open to strengthening the state’s anti-hazing laws.
