Sexual assaults and rapes at parties are nothing new. Drugs and alcohol can lower inhibitions of assailants and weaken the victims' ability to defend themselves against an assault. In some cases, mob mentality creates an atmosphere in which multiple people assault an individual. Sadly, these cases have been around forever. However, what is a new and rising factor in these cases is the use of cell phones to record and distribute the assaults.

One of the most high-profile cases is the Steubenville rape case, in which several high school football players in Steubenville, Ohio, recorded themselves sexually assaulting an obviously unconscious and highly intoxicated 16-year-old girl. The case was brought to the public's attention when an anonymous hacker group released the video, alleging a cover-up by school employees. It is one thing to hear about a sexual assault, but to see the victimization of a defenseless person prevents the public from disregarding the allegations.

Now, a case in Kentucky shows that not only girls, but also boys can be brutally victimized in alcohol-fueled parties and assaults.

Five people, including two teens, have been charged in connection with the gang rape of a 15-year-old boy at a party last week. The brutal assaults left the teen in critical condition at an area hospital.

Investigators say the boy was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries early Sunday morning after he was sodomized by four people at a party, who recorded and distributed the attack. As of this writing, the teen is still in critical condition.

Three adults and two juveniles have been arrested and charged with various crimes, including first degree sodomy and possession of child pornography:

  • Dayton Ross Jones, 20, is charged with first-degree sodomy, promoting a sexual performance by a minor, use of a minor in a sexual performance, and distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor.
  • Tyler Riess Perry, 19, is charged with first-degree sodomy, tampering with physical evidence, promoting a sexual performance by a minor, and use of a minor in a sexual performance.
  • Sam Miller, 18, is charged with first degree sodomy, promoting a minor in a sex performance, use of a minor in a sex performance, and distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor.

Two unidentified 17-year-olds are also charged in the case. One is charged with first degree sodomy and tampering with evidence. The other is charged with possessing matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor.

In Oklahoma, first degree rape is punishable by a maximum of life in prison. It is an "85 Percent Crime" that requires anyone convicted to serve a minimum of 85 percent of his or her sentence before the possibility of parole. It is also one of the violent crimes for which a juvenile offender is charged as a youthful offender rather than adjudicated delinquent in juvenile court. A juvenile delinquent will typically be released from a juvenile detention facility shortly after he or she reaches the age of 18, but when a youthful offender turns 18, he or she is typically released from the juvenile facility to a state prison to complete his or her sentence.