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The identity of Hunter Heckel, the “gender-fluid” teenager who committed sexual assaults in Loudoun County, Virginia, has been revealed following his recent release from a juvenile treatment center. Heckel has a prior conviction for sexually assaulting two students at local high schools in 2021. Now that he has turned 18, his identity can no longer be kept confidential, leading journalist Luke Rosiak of The Daily Wire to disclose the details of the case.
7 News is attempting to track down documents that show the Smith family & the 2nd victim at LCPS were notified about Hunter Heckel’s release before he got out or that either victim waived their right not to be notified. So far no government official has given us proof. pic.twitter.com/yImnu4xXS1
— Scott Taylor : 7 News – WJLA TV (@ScottTaylorTV) July 26, 2024
Despite the severity of his actions, Heckel was charged as a juvenile by the then-prosecutor, Buta Biberaj, who has since been voted out of office. As a result, Heckel does not have a public criminal record and will not be listed on the sex offender registry. This outcome, despite a judge’s concerns about his psychosexual evaluation, has sparked significant controversy.
In 2021, The Daily Wire reported that Loudoun County schools had concealed Heckel’s first assault while they were promoting a policy allowing transgender students to use the bathroom corresponding to their gender identity. Heckel was moved to another school, where he assaulted another girl. The handling of these incidents led to public outrage, with then-Superintendent Scott Ziegler accusing parents of transphobia and denying any wrongdoing on the part of the school district.
Scott & Jessica Smith tell me the family of Hunter Heckel’s 2nd victim & the Smith’s were not told that they needed to sign up for victim’s notification with the Dept of Juvenile Justice to be informed when Heckel was released last November. pic.twitter.com/ONFpOD0WMc
— Scott Taylor : 7 News – WJLA TV (@ScottTaylorTV) July 25, 2024
Scott Smith, the father of one of Heckel’s victims, was notably arrested after confronting the school board about the assault on his daughter. He expressed frustration that Biberaj had not informed his family of Heckel’s release and that a plea deal had been offered, which he felt downplayed the seriousness of the crimes. Smith’s own conviction for disorderly conduct, stemming from his protest at a school board meeting, was later pardoned by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, an action that angered Biberaj.
The new prosecutor, Bob Anderson, has since taken steps to support the victims, including hiring individuals who had previously advocated for the victims’ rights. Scott Smith is now suing Loudoun County Public Schools and has expressed both relief and frustration over the developments, noting that while Heckel has been able to move forward with his life, his family continues to struggle with the aftermath of the assaults.
Major Points
- Hunter Heckel, previously convicted of sexual assaults in Loudoun County, Virginia, has been identified following his release from a juvenile treatment center.
- Heckel, now 18, had been shielded from public identification due to juvenile court proceedings; his crimes occurred at two different high schools in 2021.
- Former prosecutor Buta Biberaj, criticized for charging Heckel as a juvenile, ensured he wouldn’t appear on a public criminal record or sex offender registry.
- The Loudoun County school system faced backlash for allegedly concealing Heckel’s first assault while promoting a controversial bathroom policy.
- Scott Smith, the father of one of Heckel’s victims, continues to seek justice and accountability, including legal action against the school district.
James Kravitz – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News