Blake High School student accused in pair of sexual assaults

TAMPA — Police are investigating sexual assault complaints against a 16-year-old male student at Blake High School.

The student, whose name was not released, intimidated two girls, ages 16 and 15, into performing oral sex on him, said Tampa Police Department spokeswoman Andrea Davis. This happened on two separate occasions, she said.

One assault happened just after the school day's sixth period on May 14 and the second happened May 15 at 3:44 p.m., Davis said.

Both incidents were said to have occurred in a spiral staircase connected to the school's theater.

"They were afraid for their safety if they didn't perform the act," Davis said.

The second victim reported the assault to a school resource officer, and also shared information she'd heard regarding the earlier victim, she said.

Police gathered evidence relating to the reported crime and have sent it to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for processing.

No arrest has been made, and district spokesman Stephen Hegarty said he didn't know whether the boy continued attending Blake once the incident was reported.

School officials learned of the incident May 15 when it was reported to police, he said, and the investigation immediately became a law enforcement matter.

"We asked police how to proceed, given the seriousness of the allegations," Hegarty said.