ISLETA PUEBLO, N.M. (KRQE) – A New Mexico police officer is behind bars, accused of raping a drunk driving suspect whereas taking her to jail. The alleged sufferer says she felt she had no selection, fearing he would add expenses or worse. Leon Martin, 22, was arrested Tuesday by New Mexico State Police. They are saying, Martin, who labored for the Isleta Police Division, admitted to a lot of what occurred.
The lady reported the assault final week on the hospital, saying she was arrested for DWI on the Isleta Pueblo by Martin. On the way in which to jail, she says Martin pulled his patrol automobile over right into a darkish space and requested her to return to the driving force’s aspect. She says he took off his vest and gun belt after which raped her. Angel Charley, government director of the Coalition to Cease Violence In opposition to Native Ladies, says whereas it’s irritating somebody sworn to guard their communities abused that energy, it’s not unusual.
“Rape is essentially about an abuse of energy and that’s basically what we’re seeing right here,” stated Charley. “Sadly, we do know that that is widespread.”
The sufferer says she was scared and afraid that he would shoot her or add further expenses to her DWI case if she didn’t comply. She says Martin instructed her, in trade, he would discuss to the decide to assist scale back her expenses and “in the event that they spent an extended period of time collectively, she would spend a shorter period of time in jail and would get to see the decide faster.” A few days later, the sufferer instructed investigators she examined optimistic for chlamydia, following the assault.
“Sexual misconduct by cops is the second highest sort of misconduct, proper behind police brutality,” stated Charley. “We all know that cops who do that, they do goal these most weak — gender non-conforming individuals, on this occasion, somebody who was below the affect, people who interact in intercourse work. These are populations of people who find themselves focused as a result of they’re seen as much less credible.”
In an interview with NMSP, Martin admitted to having intercourse with the lady whereas she was below arrest however instructed them she had initiated the encounter and he had a lapse in judgment. The alleged sufferer instructed police she acknowledged Martin from a earlier home violence incident and he had messaged her on Fb afterward. She says she felt like he was “making an attempt to hit on her.”
Vernon Abeita, the governor of the Isleta Pueblo, issued a press release, confirming Martin is now, not employed by the Pueblo and they’re cooperating totally with the investigation. Martin faces a number of felonies, together with legal sexual penetration, false imprisonment, demanding or receiving a bribe by a public officer, and ethics violations. A future court docket date has not but been set.
