Fourth Student Arrested In High School Football Hazing Probe

DOS PALOS, Calif. (AP) — Authorities have arrested a fourth high school varsity football player in connection with a widening hazing scandal on a central California campus.

The Merced Sun-Star reports Friday (http://bit.ly/2ckotxe ) that Dos Palos police arrested a 17-year-old student Thursday evening.

Police chief Barry Mann says the fourth suspect faces the same accusations as the three football players arrested earlier this week. Authorities charged those teens in juvenile court Thursday with felony false imprisonment and misdemeanor hazing.

The players arrested earlier this week are two 17-year-olds and a 16-year-old boy.

Mann said the alleged victim is a 14-year-old boy and that the core hazing incident occurred at Dos Palos High School on Sept. 7.

Football is a huge deal in this small farming city of 5,000 residents about 60 miles northwest of Fresno.

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Information from: Merced Sun-Star, http://www.mercedsun-star.com