Police Charge Four Damascus High Boys as Adults in Sex Assault Case

Four of the five juveniles charged in the Damascus High School sexual assaults have been charged as adults, according to a Montgomery County police statement.

The fifth juvenile remains charged as a juvenile.

The four were arrested Wednesday morning with Montgomery County criminal warrants and taken to the county’s Central Processing Unit, police said. The fifth boy remains charged as a juvenile.

The four are identified as:

Jean Claude Abedi, 15, of Clarksburg, charged with two counts of first-degree rape, two counts of attempted first-degree rape, and two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree rape.

Kristian Jamal Lee, 15, of Germantown, charged with two counts of first-degree rape, two counts of attempted first-degree rape, and two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree rape.

Will Daniel Smith, 15, of Clarksburg, charged with two counts of first-degree rape, two counts of attempted first-degree rape, and two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree rape.

Caleb Thorpe, 15, of Gaithersburg, charged with four counts of first-degree rape and four counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree rape.

School superintendent Jack Smith released this statement:

The State’s Attorney for Montgomery County has informed Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) that the charges against the students allegedly involved in the Oct. 31 incident at Damascus High School have been amended. Four of five students accused will be charged as adults and will also be charged with first-degree rape. One case remains in juvenile court.

MCPS continues to fully cooperate with the police investigation and will continue to provide support and resources for the Damascus High School community. Our thoughts are with the students, staff and all who have been affected.

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