Local News in Brief : Gang-Rape Suspect Not Charged

Authorities have insufficient evidence to file charges against an 18-year-old youth arrested last month with four younger teen-agers for the alleged gang rape of a 15-year-old Lomita girl, according to the district attorney’s office.

However, an official with the Los Angeles County Probation Department said he will recommend that the four others, all minors, be prosecuted for their parts in the alleged assault. The names of the suspects are being withheld because of their ages, said Al Carline, an investigator with the Probation Department.

The case stems from a party held early in November by about 25 teen-agers, mostly students who stayed away from classes at Fleming Junior High School in Lomita. The suspects allegedly assaulted a Fleming student who had too much to drink, according to a sheriff’s investigator.

Two 14-year-old boys and the 18-year-old were arrested on suspicion of rape. Another 14-year-old and a 17-year-old Narbonne High School boy were seized on suspicion of attempted rape. Carline said he had gathered enough evidence to ask that the district attorney’s office file charges against the four in Juvenile Court.