Great Bend Post

ELLSWORTH – Law enforcement authorities in Ellsworth County continue to investigate the alleged sexual assault  by members of the Great Bend High School swim team on a school activity bus.

The Barton County community wants to know what investigators believe happened.

A mother of a freshman swimmer said her son was sexually assaulted by upperclassmen on the swim team on their way back from a swim meet in Manhattan on February 6.

The town of Great Bend has been in an uproar since the story reached the media.

Ellsworth County Sheriff Tracy Ploutz said at the earliest the investigation will be ready for the County Attorney by Wednesday, February 24. “I am still conducting interviews and have to tie a bunch of it up,” he said.

When asked if he thought the case involved criminal activity, Ploutz had a very quick response. ‘I do,” he said.

USD 428 Superintendent Brad Reed issued a statement last week that said the school district has handled the situation according to their policy and were unsure if any criminal activity took place on the bus.

Reed also sent a letter to all swim team parents last Friday warning them of media outlets potentially contacting them for questioning after requesting swim team rosters from the district.