New Lawsuit Filed by three former team members alleges more sexual assault and a gun culture in the NMSU Men’s Basketball Program

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- On the same day the NMSU Men's Basketball Program began their 2023-24 season with a completely new roster and coaching staff, a new lawsuit was filed that alleges more sexual assault, a concerning gun culture and once again negligence.

The 35-page lawsuit was filed by former player Kyle Feit, an unnamed former team member and an unnamed former volunteer student manager against NMSU, former players Deshawndre Washington, Kim Aiken Jr., Doctor Bradley, former head coach Greg Heiar, former assistant coach Dominique Taylor and for the first time current NMSU athletic director Mario Moccia.

Guns are not allowed on the NMSU campus or on away games but the lawsuit claims several players had guns, would tkae them into the locker room and use them to "generate anxiety."

The lawsuit named Washington as one of the former players who had a gun. The lawsuit goes on to say that "his gun and the rumors about his prior gun use increased his power over his fellow students and the threat he posed."

Washington was labeled as the 'ring leader' behind the sexual assault, harassment and abuse inside the Aggie locker room last year. The sexual harassment claims caused a Title IX investigation by the school which found Washington, Aiken Jr. and Bradley responsible for sexual misconduct, as reported by the Las Cruces Sun-News, an ongoing criminal investigation by the Attorney General and former players Shak Odunewu, Deuce Benjamin and his father William Benjamin file a civil lawsuit against Washington, Aiken Jr., Bradley, the school, Heiar and Taylor which was settled for $8 million.

Feit and the two unnamed teammates claim they and several others were sexually assaulted and abused just like Odunewu and Benjamin. Feit says it happened almost twice a week, while the unnamed player says it happened frequently and repeatedly. Feit says he was never touched without clothing but the unnamed player says he was "grabbed and pulled by his genitals." Meanwhile student managers would lock themselves in closet to escape the trio of Washington, Aiken Jr., Bradley.

The lawsuit states on three different occasions in and around the NMSU facilities, Feit had a gun pointed directly at him.

In the lawsuit Feit's father said he "sent the people of NMSU a good kid and they sent him back in broken pieces." Feit was diagnosed with PTSD which the lawsuit claims is a direct result of the guns, assaults and intimidation. He moved away from campus and earlier this year signed with a pro team in Israel. He has since returned home due to the war in the region.

“His PTSD was triggered by the war in Israel, resulting in him living in constant fear and worsening his condition,” the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit states that concerns about the gun culture were made as early as the summer of 2022 directly to former head coach Greg Heiar and nothing was done and instead the player who voiced his concerns was cut from the team. The lawsuit says that sent a message to other players not to speak out.

But according to the lawsuit multiple other student athlete's including a football player reported the guns and no steps were taken to remove them.

This includes after the deadly Nov. 19th shooting on the UNM campus, where then NMSU player Mike Peake shot and killed 19-year-old Brandon Travis in self defense.

The lawsuit says, after the shooting, “the presence of guns (within the team) became even more real and menacing. (Feit) knew his teammates were in fear of retribution for the shooting and the atmosphere was very tense.”

ABC-7 reached out to Feit for comment he responded "I cannot at this time. There's a lot going on and I will be available at some point. Just not now."

Meanwhile NMSU told ABC-7 they do not comment on pending litigation and Moccia would not comment. Moccia is the only defendant still involved in the University in any capacity. He was granted a new five year contract back in April. His salary though is not being paid by with state funds anymore at the request of the New Mexico Governor's Office.

Doctor Bradley played in a Division I basketball game the same day the lawsuit was filed for, Nicholls Colonels and Greg Heiar is the head coach at JUCO school Mineral Area College. Neither Washington or Aiken Jr. are playing college basketball this season.

This story was first broke by the Associated Press.