BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Judge Joe Satterfield issued a gag order in the case of three Dexter juveniles who face charges of assault and criminal responsibility in the alleged gagging, beating, and burning of a 17-year-old male who is also a local student.

Word was received from the Stoddard County Juvenile office shortly after the three accused appeared in court Thursday morning to answer charges. It was not known Friday morning if there was a decision to charge the three as adults or whether the three are still in custody at the Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Bloomfield.

The three are accused of taking part in an alleged attack that was videotaped and placed on YouTube and on Facebook. The videos are said to depict the 17-year-old victim being gagged, beaten and his hands burned by three perpetrators. The juvenile suspects were placed in custody on Tuesday after a school administrator notified county juvenile authorities of the alleged activities.

Dexter Police Det. Trevor Pulley and Det. Cory Mills are investigating the incident, which includes seven separate videos depicting abuse of the same individual. The attacks are alleged to have taken place on Feb. 11 and again on March 5. The victim sustained contusions and burns.

In a news release from Dexter police, allegations state that the juveniles bound the victim with duct tape, punched and kicked him several times, burned him, urinated on him and rubbed urine-soaked clothing on the victim while being videotaped.

A gag order prohibits the attorney and parties involved in a legal procedure to disclose or discuss the matter involved in the case to the public, when the judge is of the opinion that such an action may prejudice or influence the outcome the trial.

Pertinent address:

Dexter, MO

Bloomfield, MO