Three firefighters have been charged with gang-raping a woman following a golf tournament in the United States.
Albuquerque Fire Rescue Lt. Aden Heyman, 46, Firefighter Angel Portillo, 32, and since-retired driver Anthony Martin, 44 were arrested on Wednesday and charged with second degree rape, reports KOB4.
Police documents obtained by the Albuquerque Journal say the woman had been drinking with Martin and Portillo at a golf tournament when she agreed to return to the 44-year-old’s house. The paper says the woman told cops they were “swimming, laughing and having fun”.
But the mood is said to have changed when Heyman arrived. Shortly after the woman claims she “began to fade”. When she came around she claims Portillo and Martin were assaulting her.
She then managed to flee through a bathroom window, reports the Associated Press. Investigators say a resident of the apartment complex found the woman and called authorities.
The men are said to have subsequently exchanged messages about the incident, including agreeing a vow of silence. And, more than three weeks after the incident on August 7, Heyman is said to have Google searched “how long does DNA stay in vagina”, says court dcocuments.
Martin has retired from the fire service since the incident. While Heyman and Portillo are currently on administrative leave, with Albuquerque Fire Chief Emily Jaramillo saying the department will co-operate with the police during the investigation.
All three men deny the charges.
Speaking to the New York Post, Martin’s attorney Ben Ortega, said: “As far as I’m concerned, none of these three men did anything wrong and now their careers as firefighters will be tarnished by these allegations.”
While Portillo’s attorney Heather LeBlanc said her client “adamantly maintains his innocence in this matter”. She added: “As a respected firefighter in our community, he has dedicated his life to helping others.”
Heyman’s attorney Jason Bowles said the firefighter “has committed no crime and is innocent of these charges.”
The three men on Thursday appeared via video link in court, where they were kept in custody, KOB4 said.
