Man charged with rape of woman in Las Cruces retirement home pleads not guilty

March 30, 2015: Peter Dillon Lucero was arraigned Monday in district court in Dona Ana County and entered a plea of not guilty.

Lucero is accused of raping a resident of a local retirement center.

Lucero’s defense attorney requested a bond reduction but it was denied and his bond remains at $100,000.

March 13, 2015 Story: ABC-7 is learning more about an alleged rape at the Good Samaritan Society in Las Cruces. Visitors who have family living at the Good Samaritan Society. They say they’re disturbed because they consider the center to be a safe place for their relatives.

Police say 25-year old Peter Dillon Lucero allegedly raped a 50-year old woman at the center.He was arrested and charged with First-Degree kidnapping and Second-Degree criminal sexual penetration.

Police say it happened on February 22nd, when Lucero was visiting his grandfather who also lives at Good Samaritan. The victim also lives there and suffers from Multiple Sclerosis and uses a wheelchair. Investigators say the woman’s caretaker found her on the floor and calling for help after the alleged assault took place.

According to the criminal statement of facts, Investigators say Lucero alsoallegedly made an inappropriate comment to an employee and then later, he allegedly wheeled another resident into her room and touched her inappropriately.

Investigators say Lucero then entered a second victim’s room and began touching himself.

Security footage allegedly shows Lucero entering the woman’s room, then leaving about half an hour later.

A nurse found the woman on the floor, naked from the waist down. The woman told investigators she does not remember what happened. She was also hesitant when asked if Lucero raped her.

Lucero admitted to having sex with the woman, but told investigators it was consensual.

Peggy Swoveland, whose aunt lives at Good Samaritan, tells Abc-7, she’s worried about the allegations, but feels the nursing home is safe.

“Personally, I think the level of safety is very good. I think this is a really unfortunate incident that happened. I really do hope that it’s completely atypical because I really do think that it’s a very safe environment,” Swoveland said.

All visitors at the Good Samaritan society need to sign in. An employee declined to talk about security but did tell Abc-7 staff is very vigilant.