Expelled Student-Athletes Could Face Harsher Penalties

Vallejo police are investigating the incidents

Five football players expelled from Vallejo's St. Patrick-St Vincent High School for hazing may face even tougher consequences.

The Vallejo police department has confirmed they're launching their own investigation. Lt. Jim O'Connell says police intend to question everyone involved to try to determine exactly what happened and whether it was criminal.

The head football coach, who was fired after reporting the allegations to police, has said he feels what took place was sexual assault.

Chris Cerbone says junior varsity football players told him varsity players used their genitalia to haze them in the locker room last football season.

Legal analyst Michael Cadoza says he's not surprised police are investigating.

"If it's true, for boys to subject young men to what they subjected them to is it sexual battery? Absolutey, no question about it," said Cardoza.

The Sacramento Diocese, which oversees the school, says they welcome the police investigation and intend to fully cooperate.
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O'Connell says police were just made aware of the allegations last week

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