[Mr. Douglas]

(3) if the victim is under the age of 14 years, and the person performing the act is at least 4 years older than the victim.

(b) A person 18 years of age or older may not violate subsection (a)(1) or (2) of this section involving a child under the age of 13 years.

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This may be key.

[NorthMountain]

I'm not clear on what Subsection (b) means ... but the victim is 14, so I think it's not relevant. See also the Sexual Offense in the Fourth Degree ... The victim is supposed to be 14, and the accused are supposedly 17 & 18. However, this crime is "only" a misdemeanor. I think the case will revolve around the extreme violence alleged by the police. Based on my limited knowledge of the facts, and my reading of the law, I would charge the defendants with multiple counts of:

1) Rape in the First Degree, due to the violence.

2) Sexual Offense in the First Degree, due to the violence

3) Sexual Offense in the Fourth Degree, due to the age difference.

4) Assault? Battery? Kidnapping? Malicious wounding? Seriously: throw the book at them.

Check the links ... "Rape" and "Sexual Offense" are not the same crime.