Two former NMSU basketball players plead not guilty to sexual assault charges, one issued bench warrant

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Three former NMSU basketball players were all expected to appear in court Wednesday after the New Mexico Attorney General's office charged them with a combined 37 felony sex crimes.

ABC-7 was in the courtroom for the hearing. Deshawndre Washington and Doctor Bradley were both present and pleaded not guilty for their respective 13 charges.

While Kim Aiken Jr. was issued a $20,000 bench warrant for his arrest for not appearing in court. Aiken's attorney, Lara Smalls told ABC-7 Aiken is playing basketball in Luxebourg in Europe and with the lack of notice and Thanksgiving holiday he was unable to get to Las Cruces for the arraignment.

Smalls told ABC-7 she would file to quash the motion on Wednesday and ask that Aiken be given more than two weeks notice to appear.

"It's very disappointing that the court was not accommodating and in anyway considering the closeness and proximity to the Thanksgiving holiday as well as the complications involved in international travel," Small said. "Mr Aiken is in no way trying to avoid charges, he is seeking justice in this matter."

Smalls asked Judge Douglas Driggers to allow Aiken to appear over the phone for the arraignment but he denied that request, despite the Attorney General's office not opposing it. Driggers also denied a continuance which would have given Aiken more time to appear in court.

Smalls also told ABC-7 that Aiken Jr. would have plead not guilty if he had appeared.

As for Washington and Bradley, the judge approved motions of extradition for the two former players which means they can live and work in their home cities but must appear back in court when called upon. Washington was released on his own recognizance while Bradley was released on an unsecured $7,500 bond.

They both agreed to not talk to witnesses, victims or each other throughout the court proceedings.

This was the first time we have seen any of the trio since February when those sexual assault allegations first came to light and the program was shutdown.

Neither of the players or their attorneys would speak to the media on Wednesday.

This is the first step in a long legal process. A second hearing is expected to be scheduled in the next 30 days.

Aiken Jr. is charged with 11 felony counts and, if convicted, could spend up to 24 years in prison. Bradley and Washington could each get up to 27 years in prison if convicted.

Aiken was charged with one count of second degree criminal sexual penetration (aided or abetted by another), five counts of false imprisonment, three counts of fourth degree criminal sexual contact (aided or abetted by another) and one count each of conspiracy to commit criminal sexual contact (aided or abetted by another) and false imprisonment - conspiracy.

Bradley and Washington were each charged with one count of second degree criminal sexual penetration (aided or abetted by another), five counts of false imprisonment, five counts of fourth degree criminal sexual contact (aided or abetted by another), and one count each of conspiracy to commit criminal sexual contact (aided or abetted by another) and false imprisonment – conspiracy.

The New Mexico Attorney General's Office told ABC-7 that four people made allegations that lead to the charges.

The sexual assault allegations within the program first came to light back in February when one player, now known as Deuce Benjamin, filed a police report against Bradley, Washington and Aiken Jr. Those allegations saw the program shutdown for the remainder of the season, then head coach Greg Heiar fired and now this season an entirely new coaching staff and team.

It was the second scandal to rock the NMSU program in a matter of months. Back on Nov.19th, 2022, then NMSU player Mike Peake shot and killed 19-year-old Brandon Travis in self defense.

Doctor Bradley was added to the Nicholls State Men's Basketball team amid the sexual assault accusations against him, the Athletic Director on Thursday told ABC-7 he is no longer part of the team.

Meanwhile former head coach Greg Heiar is now the head coach at JUCO school Mineral Area College. Washington is not playing college basketball this season.