Three Rockwall High School students were taken into custody Friday in connection with a 16-year-old schoolmate's allegations that one of them lured her to a home in Rowlett and that all three raped her.

One of them, varsity football player Bobby Earl Taylor Jr., 17, was being held in the Rowlett jail Friday evening in lieu of $25,000 bail. Because he is legally an adult, he could face five to 99 years or life in prison if convicted of the first-degree felony. Mr. Taylor's attorney, Larry Jarrett, declined to comment.

The other suspects, 16-year-old juveniles whose names weren't released, were taken to the Hunt County juvenile detention center to await initial hearings next week. If found responsible for the crime, they could be held in a juvenile facility until age 21 and then transferred to prison.

Rowlett police Lt. David Nabors said the attack allegedly occurred Sept. 3. The girl told police that after receiving a phone call from one of the youths, she went to his home in the Rockwall County part of Rowlett.

When she arrived and found three youths there, she grew concerned and tried to leave, said Ray Sumrow, the Rockwall County criminal district attorney.

"They basically lock her into a room, take her car keys, take her cellphone, take her clothes," he said. "Allegedly, two of them held her down while the other sexually assaulted her. She was sexually assaulted eventually by all three males."

The girl told a friend that afternoon and later told a high school staff member. On Sept. 19, the girl's mother made a report to police, who investigated for 10 days before taking the youths into custody.

Mr. Taylor, a wide receiver, was a starter as a sophomore and last year was a first-team all-district defensive back. He was expected to be recruited this season.

"Last week, three District students were suspended from participation in extracurricular activities pending an investigation of alleged criminal misconduct by the Rowlett Police Department. Based on new information recently received by the District, the District is evaluating what further appropriate action should be taken in accordance with its existing policies. No final decisions have been made. At this time, the District is not releasing any further information regarding the students."

The charges come three weeks after another area high school athlete's arrest in a sex case. On Sept. 8, Garland High School running back Johnny Wooten, 17, was charged with indecency with a child by contact in a case involving a 14-year-old girl. The charge is a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

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