Principal In Compton On Leave Over Allegations Of 'Uncomfortable' Student Searches

COMPTON (CBSLA.com) — A high school principal was placed on administrative leave while authorities investigate allegations surrounding the way in which students were being searched.

As CBS2's Dave Lopez reports, a person connected to Dominguez High School in Compton complained to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department about the way a principal conducted searches of students.

"The search bothered him considerably, and they felt very uncomfortable. We have some of the staff members witness some of these searches and also felt uncomfortable for the kids. At this point, we have five victims," Sheriff's Department Sgt. Al Garcia said.

Garcia, who is in charge of the Special Victims Bureau, would not identify the principal but said the principal was one of two who works at the school and was conducting the searches for possible truancy or marijuana use.

The sergeant emphasized that the principal has not been placed under arrest, but an investigation is continuing.

"At this point of the investigation, we don't want to provide any other details because we're hoping to find any additional victims," Garcia said.

Garcia told Lopez 10 students have come forward, all of whom are male. Five of those students said they felt very uncomfortable in the way they were searched.

One student, who didn't want to provide his name, told Lopez a friend of his was asked to loosen his pants and shake his underwear with his pants still on.

"Having to shake your underpants is pretty far. I don't know. That's too private to me," the student said.

Lopez said the principal was interviewed Tuesday morning by investigators. Compton Unified School District was then notified, prompting officials to place the principal on leave.

Repeated calls to the district were unanswered, but late Wednesday afternoon, it issued a written statement, which said in part:

"At this time, the district has not been made privy to the specific circumstances surrounding the sheriff's investigation. However, the district is aware that no arrest was made."

Investigators said their investigation should be complete by next week.