LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A teenager accused of recording a school classmate's sexual assault on video will be tried as an adult, a Clark County judge ruled.
An indictment obtained by Channel 13 charges Vaughn Griffith, 15, with one felony count of possession of a visual presentation depicting sexual conduct of a child.
Investigators with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department began looking into allegations against Griffith after they were contacted by the principal of the Alexander Dawson School, according to court documents. The principal told police a concerned parent had alerted her to an inappropriate video involving students on a school trip to Costa Rica in April 2025.
According to police reports, the video showed the sexual assault of one of Griffith's classmates. Investigators note Griffith was 14 years old at the time.
The victim told investigators the teens said not to tell anyone "because they would say they were playing around and that the victim enjoyed it," court records state.
As part of the investigation, officers were told the video could be found on Griffith's SnapChat account. After getting a warrant, detectives state that "a video was gathered as evidence which depicts the sexual assault."
District Court Judge Linda Marquis found the allegations against Griffith were "heinous and egregious," and ruled he should be tried as an adult.
This report does mention other students, but it remains unclear if any additional arrests have been made at this time.
Griffith is expected back in court on June 23 at 8:30 a.m.
-
How Utah investigators linked ex-youth pastor in Las Vegas to wife's 2006 death
The criminal charges against a former Las Vegas youth pastor now charged in his wife's 2006 death were unsealed Tuesday, unveiling what led investigators to charge him nearly 20 years later.
Report: LVMPD officer had prior domestic violence probe before recent arrest
We are learning more details surrounding the recent arrest of a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer on domestic violence charges.
Former Las Vegas pastor charged in wife's deadly 2006 fall from Angels Landing
A man who served as a church youth pastor has been charged with the murder of his wife, nearly 20 years after she fell to her death from Angels Landing in Zion National Park.
Warrant issued in fatal shooting claims suspect was upset over text messages
Channel 13 obtained the warrant issued for the arrest of 19-year-old David Nathaniel Vasquez in connection with a fatal shooting at a northwest Las Vegas Five Below store.
