Three New Mexico firefighters have been accused of gang-raping a woman at a party before she escaped through a window.
Albuquerque Police said they have arrested the trio, including one who is retired, over the alleged assault on July 15 following a day of heavy drinking.
Aden Heyman, 46, Angel Portillo, 32, and Anthony Martin, 44, have been charged with criminal sexual penetration in the second degree, police records show.
The alleged victim, whose identity is protected by law, said she went to a golf tournament with Martin and Portillo before being invited back to Martin’s apartment pool for a swim, where Heyman joined them.
But their day of drinking and poolside fun descended into horror as the woman said she ‘lost a couple of hours’ and woke up with the three men gang-raping her, according to local news outlet KOB4.
The horrific incident allegedly happened at a party at the Villas (pictured) in Menaul, central New Mexico
She told police Heyman was even ‘coaching them on how to rape.’ The woman added that she managed to escape through a bathroom window.
Investigators say a resident of the apartment complex found the woman and called authorities.
The alleged incident happened at the Villas in Menaul, central New Mexico.
Heyman and Portillo both work for the Albuquerque Fire Department. Martin recently retired.
The firefighters appeared in court by video link on Thursday following a month-long investigation, according to local reports.
Their hearings were brief, and the firefighters did not speak. Prosecutors filed Thursday to have all them men held in jail until trial.
Suspect Martin has recently retired from the Albuquerque Fire Department
An Albuquerque Fire Department spokesperson called the allegations ‘alarming’ but would not comment on the active criminal case
In a statement, Albuquerque Fire Chief Emily Jaramillo said all three were immediately placed on administrative leave and called their case ‘alarming’.
Jaramillo would not comment further due to their criminal case being active and under investigation, but said the department would cooperate fully with the police probe.
Miguel Tittmann, president of the local firefighters’ union, referred all questions to the city.