WHEELING, W.Va. — Officials with the Ohio County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office are opting not to recommend any criminal charges against those involved in alleged misconduct on a school bus trip for members of the Wheeling Park boys’ basketball team.
Details of the alleged misconduct, said to be of a sexual nature, that happened on a Jan. 26 team trip to Morgantown for a West Virginia University basketball game have not been made public.
After reviewing an investigative report of the incident from the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, those with the Ohio County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced the decision not to pursue charges on Monday.
Factors that were weighed in the decision included jurisdiction, existing criminal statutes, evidence and the victim or victims’ wishes.
“After reviewing the results of the investigation and the above mentioned issues, the Ohio County Prosecutor’s Office is not recommending that any criminal charges be filed in this matter,” read a statement from the office of Scott Smith, prosecuting attorney for Ohio County.
Wheeling Park forfeited a basketball game against Brooke High School on Feb. 2 because of suspensions for four student-athletes.
The team did play this past Saturday without the players who were reportedly facing additional suspensions or expulsions.
Officials with the Ohio County Board of Education have said school officials were aware of the incident and were “working with legal counsel.”