Is swatting someone's behind in middle school a sex crime? Documents in Yamhill County "Spanking" case
The Oregonian, July 20, 2007

Cory Mashburn and Ryan Cornelison are two 13-year-olds at the center of a controversy: Is swatting someone's behind in middle school a sex crime?

The boys from Patton Middle School stand accused of 10 misdemeanor counts of sex abuse and harassment -- charges their parents and lawyers say are an overreaction. Some of the girls who were slapped told police they were offended or had asked the boys to stop, according to police reports obtained by The Oregonian.

But the reports also suggest butt slapping was common at Patton. Authorities stand behind their decision to prosecute, but for Cory and Ryan and their families, the process has taken an emotional and financial toll.

Police report 1 (pdf)
Police report 2 (pdf)

Filed by McMinnville Officer Marshall Roache, these two reports describe allegations that students Cory Mashburn and Ryan Cornelison slapped girls at Patton Middle School on the buttocks.

Court transcript (pdf)

In this partial transcript from Juvenile Court, two alleged victims say they did not feel threatened by Cory Mashburn or Ryan Cornelison and felt pressured to make untrue statements during interrogation.

Cornelison amended charges (pdf)
Mashborn amended charges (pdf)
Original charges (pdf)

These court documents specify the misdemeanor sex abuse and harassment charges against Cory Mashburn and Ryan Cornelison. Also included are the initial felony charges filed against Mashburn that were later dropped.

Editor's Note: Except for Cory Mashburn and Ryan Cornelison, who agreed to be identified, the names of juveniles have been redacted from these documents.


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