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An 18-year-old high school student in Arizona has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting at least 10 and as many as 18 high school girls, and authorities continued to plead Friday for any additional victims to come forward.
Tyler Kost was being held without bond after being arrested late Thursday. In court documents and statements, the Pinal County Sheriff’s department has described Kost as a “serial rapist†who impregnated a 15-year-old and allegedly threatened to shoot in the head each girl who rejected his sexual advances.
His three-plus years of suspected escapades appeared to be well-known around school, and some of the assaults allegedly involved girls whom Kost was dating.
Girls and their family members accused Kost of using texting, Facebook and other messaging apps, including Snapchat and Kik, to befriend girls, invite them on dates and then kiss them before growing rougher. The assaults are suspected to have taken place in his San Tan Valley bedroom, girls’ bedrooms and in public spaces, such as parks and parking lots.
"He was, from all of the accounts of the victims, somebody who was highly manipulative, very charismatic and charming,†Sheriff Paul Babeau said at a press conference Friday.
Kost's attorney, Joey Hamby, declined to comment. But in court Friday, he unsuccessfully sought a gag order to prevent the sheriff from making what he said were damaging statements about Kost before the case was even brought before a judge.
Florence Unified School District officials told reporters that Kost had been taking classes online since February after he reported that girls at the school were bullying him.
The sheriff's investigation began in late March when a male tipster reported several of the suspected assaults after hearing from one of the victims. Deputies spent April tracking down victim after victim, coming up with 13 by Monday and then an additional five after the case against Kost was publicly announced.
Last October at the age of 17, authorities said, Kost is suspected of raping a 15-year-old girl in a park after the Poston Butte High School homecoming dance. The girl told police she ran home crying when a passing car startled Kost and allowed her to escape. When she learned she was pregnant, police said, she confronted Kost. He threatened to smear her reputation if she underwent an abortion, she told investigators.
Tyler Kost was being held without bond after being arrested late Thursday. In court documents and statements, the Pinal County Sheriff’s department has described Kost as a “serial rapist†who impregnated a 15-year-old and allegedly threatened to shoot in the head each girl who rejected his sexual advances.
His three-plus years of suspected escapades appeared to be well-known around school, and some of the assaults allegedly involved girls whom Kost was dating.
Girls and their family members accused Kost of using texting, Facebook and other messaging apps, including Snapchat and Kik, to befriend girls, invite them on dates and then kiss them before growing rougher. The assaults are suspected to have taken place in his San Tan Valley bedroom, girls’ bedrooms and in public spaces, such as parks and parking lots.
"He was, from all of the accounts of the victims, somebody who was highly manipulative, very charismatic and charming,†Sheriff Paul Babeau said at a press conference Friday.
Kost's attorney, Joey Hamby, declined to comment. But in court Friday, he unsuccessfully sought a gag order to prevent the sheriff from making what he said were damaging statements about Kost before the case was even brought before a judge.
Florence Unified School District officials told reporters that Kost had been taking classes online since February after he reported that girls at the school were bullying him.
The sheriff's investigation began in late March when a male tipster reported several of the suspected assaults after hearing from one of the victims. Deputies spent April tracking down victim after victim, coming up with 13 by Monday and then an additional five after the case against Kost was publicly announced.
Last October at the age of 17, authorities said, Kost is suspected of raping a 15-year-old girl in a park after the Poston Butte High School homecoming dance. The girl told police she ran home crying when a passing car startled Kost and allowed her to escape. When she learned she was pregnant, police said, she confronted Kost. He threatened to smear her reputation if she underwent an abortion, she told investigators.
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