Tooele High case in prosecutors' hands

The Tooele County Sheriff's Office has completed its investigation into alleged sexual misconduct by members of the Tooele High School baseball team.

The case is now in the hands of prosecutors from Tooele and Washington counties.

Results from the investigation were forwarded to the Washington County Attorney's Office over the weekend, said Deputy Tooele County Attorney Gary Searle. After they have time to review them, the two offices will determine, possibly by later this week, which county should handle the case.

Until then, results from the investigation are confidential.

Six members of the Tooele High School baseball team, including two 18-year-olds, were suspended for the final two weeks of school after allegations of sexual misconduct during a team trip were brought to the attention of the Tooele School District and police. The incident was videotaped.

The baseball team played in a tournament in St. George March 11-13. Some members of the team stayed in a hotel in St. George and others in Washington City.

Six of the players were allegedly involved in undisclosed sexual misconduct with a female high school student from Weber County, also in southern Utah for the tournament.

One of the possible charges that could be filed in Tooele is sexual exploitation of a minor against whoever was in possession of that tape.

The alleged incident was brought to the attention of the school district May 18 by an anonymous parent. School officials soon learned that a videotape of the incident existed and quickly turned it over to police once they obtained it.

The incident and subsequent media coverage sparked strong reactions from Tooele residents and led to the resignation of coach Shanz Leonelli on June 4. He will continue to teach journalism and English at the high school.

In addition to being suspended for the remainder of the school year, the boys allegedly involved received other strong penalties, said district officials without going into detail.

Earlier, district Superintendent Larry Shumway told the Deseret Morning News the school was reviewing its team travel policies and would make changes as needed. The trip to St. George included 16 players, three coaches and an unknown number of parents.

A "lights out" check and a "bed check" were made for each of the players, Shumway said.

---

E-mail: preavy@desnews.com