Lawsuit accuses rookie NFL punter and a pair of former faculty teammates of rape

Araiza "hopes it doesn't have an effect on this profession with the Buffalo Payments. He actually likes the crew and hopes he can stick with them," mentioned Armstrong.

Jane Doe says she attended a celebration within the San Diego space with pals, however was separated from them when she met Araiza, in keeping with the lawsuit. The declare additional asserts that Araiza "might observe that Doe was closely intoxicated" and "handed her a drink anyway."

"Doe knowledgeable Araiza that she attended Grossmont Excessive Faculty. Araiza, who was 21 years previous, knew or ought to have recognized that Doe was a minor," the grievance says.

The girl says Araiza led her to a bed room the place "there have been not less than three different males already within the bed room," together with Leonard and Ewaliko, who had been each not less than 18 on the time, in keeping with the courtroom doc. Shortly after Doe entered the bed room, the lads allegedly started participating in intercourse acts together with her, the lawsuit claims.

"Doe was raped for about an hour and a half till the get together was shut down. Doe stumbled out of the room bloody and crying," mentioned the grievance.

Doe reported the alleged incident the following day to the San Diego Police Division and underwent a rape examination at an area hospital, in keeping with the lawsuit. Days later, detectives organized "pretext" calls between Doe and the lads that they had decided as her alleged attackers, mentioned the declare.

"Through the name, Araiza confirmed having intercourse with Doe, even telling her that she ought to get examined for STDs," mentioned the declare however when she pressed him about their encounter, "Araiza instantly modified his tone, saying, 'That is Matt Araiza. I do not bear in mind something that occurred that night time,' at which era he terminated the pretext name by hanging up on Doe," the grievance alleges.

Ewaliko's lawyer, Marc Carlos, instructed Muricas News in a telephone interview that he sees some points with Doe's credibility and the circumstances underneath which she reported the occasion. "The submitting of the civil go well with is clearly an try to put stress on the DA to file a case," he mentioned.

Ewaliko just isn't enrolled at San Diego State this semester, in keeping with Carlos.

Leonard's legal professional, Jamahl Kersey, mentioned: "We're conscious of the lawsuit that was filed yesterday and we respectfully decline to remark." He mentioned he couldn't touch upon his consumer's standing as a San Diego State scholar or participant.

The police division has submitted its investigation to the San Diego County District Lawyer's Workplace and is being reviewed, the DA's workplace mentioned, although officers didn't point out when a charging choice may be made.

Muricas News has additionally requested remark from police.

The college launched a press release saying it "takes allegations of sexual assault significantly." however was not capable of launch particular particulars on the case on account of privateness considerations stating the allegations had been nonetheless underneath "energetic college investigation." The assertion mentioned additional that a violation of the college's scholar code of conduct might doubtlessly lead to "suspension, dismissal or expulsion."

"We had been lately made conscious of a civil grievance involving Matt from October 2021," a Buffalo Payments spokesperson mentioned. "As a result of critical nature of the grievance, we carried out an intensive examination of this matter. As that is an ongoing civil case, we may have no different remark at this level."

Araiza did not play throughout Buffalo's 21-0 loss in a pre-season recreation to the Carolina Panthers on Friday. "On the finish of the day I did not really feel prefer it was proper," mentioned coach Sean McDermott.

Questioned after the sport in regards to the allegations, McDermott described it as an "extraordinarily critical" state of affairs. "We wish to discover the reality and determine this out the best approach and do the best factor."

NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy mentioned in a press release league officers are conscious of the matter however had no further remark.

An NFL participant can't be suspended for conduct earlier than becoming a member of the league. But when an individual is investigated for actions that happen whereas an NFL participant, prior conduct can issue into potential self-discipline, in keeping with the NFL's private conduct coverage.