Allegations of Sex Crimes Surface Involving 3 Former New Mexico State Basketball Players Amid Alleged Hazing
Three ex-New Mexico State basketball players face felony sex crime charges and other offenses for alleged hazing incidents that led to the team's 2022-23 season being cut short, according to the state's attorney general
Three ex-New Mexico State University basketball players are facing charges for felony sex crimes and other offenses. These charges stem from allegations of hazing their teammates and student staff members. The accusations were a contributing factor in the premature termination of the team's 2022-23 season, according to the state attorney general. Deshawndre Washington, Doctor Bradley, and Kim Aiken Jr. are specifically accused of forcibly restraining younger players and student staff members, subjecting them to various forms of violation, including violent acts such as forcefully grabbing their genital areas. These details were disclosed in a news release by the office of New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez.
The alleged offenses occurred between August and November 2022, according to grand jury indictments released by Torrez's office.
"This kind of violent behavior will be fully prosecuted under the law," stated Torrez. "Those involved at all levels – players, coaches, and administrators – should take note. It's crucial to understand that while this action is a significant initial measure to tackle this unacceptable conduct, our efforts to rectify the underlying culture enabling these crimes are far from complete."
Each defendant is accused of committing multiple felonies according to court documents, including criminal sexual penetration, false imprisonment, criminal sexual contact, conspiracy to commit criminal sexual contact, and conspiracy to commit false imprisonment.
The Pan American Center basketball court at New Mexico State University is depicted in a photo taken on February 15, 2023, in Las Cruces, N.M. A comprehensive email review sheds light on the damage control efforts undertaken by New Mexico State's top administrators following the revelation earlier in the year of hazing allegations within the men's basketball team. The university has released over 2,400 pages of documents in response to a records request by The Associated Press, which also reveal the disappointment and anger expressed by fans and alumni, referring to the incident as a tarnish on the school's reputation. (Photo credit: Andrés Leighton/AP/File)
How does hazing impact student athletes in the US? Last season, Washington, a junior guard, and Bradley, a sophomore forward at the time, were both charged with five counts of false imprisonment and criminal sexual contact. Aiken, a redshirt senior forward last season, faces four counts of each charge.
It is unclear if the defendants have legal representation. They are scheduled to appear in court in Las Cruces on November 22, according to a report from CNN affiliate KOAT.
CNN has reached out to the attorney general's office and New Mexico State University for comments.
In February, the university took action against the mens basketball program and canceled their 2022-23 season due to allegations of hazing. The teams head coach was subsequently fired. While specific details of the allegations were not disclosed by university officials, a member of the mens basketball team reported to school police in February that he had experienced hazing in the teams locker room since the previous summer, as stated in a case report from the New Mexico State University Police Department, which was obtained by CNN affiliate KVIA and shared with CNN. The report has redacted players names, ages, and dates of birth.
In a February open letter to the university community, Chancellor Dan E. Arvizu emphasized that hazing is not tolerated on our campus and anyone found responsible will face consequences. In April, two former players filed a lawsuit against the former head coach, three former NMSU players, and others, alleging instances of hazing and sexual assault within the team.
KOAT reported that the lawsuit was resolved for $8 million.
Under the guidance of a new coach, the Aggies reinstated their men's basketball program and completed their first two games of the 2023-24 regular season this week.
