17-Year-Old Charged as Adult in Rape of Schoolmates He Allegedly Told to 'Loosen Up': Cops

A 17-year-old Indiana high school student has been charged as an adult with raping several female schoolmates, officials said.

Levi Stewart was charged on Sept. 6 with two counts of rape, level 3 felonies that each carry a sentence of three to 16 years in prison if convicted, online court records show.

Stewart has been publicly identified because he has been charged as an adult.

Stewart is accused of “threatening, intimidating and harassing young female students in his classes to engage in sexual activity with him," according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Hendricks Superior Court and obtained by The Indianapolis Star.

Investigators began probing Stewart’s alleged crimes in August when students told school administrators he had been “harassing and touching several female students,” the affidavit reportedly said.

Four girls who went to school with Stewart said he coerced them into sexual activity, most often at Hummel Park in Plainfield, The Star reported. 

The alleged victims ranged in age from 16 to 18. A 16-year-old girl told police Stewart would hit her arms or slap her if she refused to perform a sex act, according to the report.

Another alleged victim said she was once forcibly molested by Stewart, who allegedly told her to "just loosen up" when she asked him to stop, the affidavit reportedly said.

Stewart also allegedly once put his arms around her neck and yelled, the affidavit said.

Plainfield School administrators were aware of Stewart's arrest and have "cooperated fully with law enforcement authorities throughout their investigation,” spokeswoman Sabrina Kapp said in a statement to the newspaper.

Stewart was released from Hendricks County Jail on $5,000 cash bond on Sept. 10. He is due in court for a preliminary conference hearing on Nov. 14.

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