12 men charged with sexually assaulting two underage girls in case involving Alabama university

A dozen men were arrested for the alleged sexual assaults of two underage girls, with some of the attacks reportedly occurring on or near the Jacksonville State University campus and involving students at the school, Alabama authorities said Friday.

The alleged victims were between 12 and 16, according to investigator Jay Harrington of the Calhoun-Cleburne Major Crimes Unit, CNN reported. The reported crimes took place earlier this year between January and September at or near the university.

Eleven of the men were charged with rape in the second degree, and one was charged with sodomy in the second degree, CNN reported.

{mosads}Nine of the men were arrested in September, The Gadsden Times reported at the time. They were all between the ages of 18 and 22. Two more were arrested this week.

Authorities confirmed that all 12 of the men will appear in court on Monday in Calhoun County, Alabama, CNN reported.

The university said it became aware “of alleged student misconduct involving non-students communicating directly with JSU students by electronic means and then coming onto campus grounds and adjacent properties on multiple occasions” in a statement, CNN reported. 

The school said there was no ongoing safety concern for students.  

“We as an institution and as a community are committed to maintaining a secure and trusted campus environment for our students, employees, visitors and guests, and we will continue with appropriate vigilance and campus-wide education,” Jacksonville State University said in a statement, CNN reported.

Bill Broome, an attorney for one of the suspects,  alleged that one of the girls portrayed herself as being 19 years old on social media, CNN affiliate WBRC reported.

The Hill has reached out to the Jacksonville Police Department and Jacksonville State University for comment.