New Mexico Attorney General launches criminal investigation into NMSU sex assault claims
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) - New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez says a criminal investigation is now underway into hazing and sexual assault allegations within the NMSU Men's basketball team.
Torrez told our media partner KOAT that investigators had been assigned to the case. He said he found the allegations both concerning and troubling.
As ABC-7 reported, Doña Ana District Attorney Gerald Byers handed the case over to the Attorney General on April 13.
According to a civil lawsuit filed by plaintiffs William Benjamin, Willian 'Deuce' Benjamin and Shakiru Odunewu, a toxic history of harassment existed in the men's basketball team. The lawsuit states that despite attempts to report it, the institution failed to act.
Former NMSU men's basketball players Kim Aiken Jr., Deshawndre Washington and Doctor Bradley are named in the suit, along with former head coach Greg Heair, NMSU assistant coach Dominique Taylor and the university.
