Teen sentenced in hazing incident

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) -- A teenager charged with criminal hazing after an incident at a basketball camp at Stonehill College pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced.

The charges against Craig Luschenat, 19, of Andover, stemmed from an incident in July 2011 at a sleepover summer basketball camp called "Hoops Mountain." The camp was not organized by Stonehill, but was using the school's facilities.

Instead of facing a probable cause hearing in the case, Luschenat Monday admitted to sufficient facts in the case during his arraignment.

Taunton District Court Judge Kevin Cunningham then sentenced Luschenat to supervised probation and mandatory counseling for a minimum of three months or as long as a therapist deems necessary. The judge also ordered Luschenat to stay away from both victims and from all Andover High School basketball games, both home and away.

"If the defendant is charged with any new crimes during the next two years or if he violates the conditions set by the judge, a guilty finding will be entered, he would be re-sentenced and could face potential jail time," said Bristol County District Attorney spokesman Gregg Miliote in a news release.

Another person, who was a juvenile at the time of the incident, was also charged in the case. Criminal charges against that individual are still pending.

District Attorney Sutter consulted with the families of the victims prior to agreeing to Monday's decision. His prosecution of the case was motivated by three concerns, including "obtaining a sentence which [makes] it clear that any incident like this in Bristol County will be diligently investigated and firmly prosecuted.

"We believe that... was accomplished."