Man arrested on suspicion of rape
One man has been arrested on suspicion of rape and police are searching for a second sexual assault suspect in an alleged attack at a residence near downtown.
A woman told police she had been strangled and sexually assaulted by two men at her home Saturday, according to a criminal complaint filed in Santa Fe County Magistrate Court. The woman said she invited Thomas Esquibel, an old friend, to her home, along with another friend of Esquibel’s whom the woman did not know.
While at her apartment, the woman told police that Esquibel’s friend held her down and the pair sexually assaulted her. According to the criminal complaint, the woman escaped the situation and ran into her bedroom to call a friend. When the friend arrived, he told police he saw Esquibel leave.
Police arrested Esquibel and booked him on one count of felony criminal sexual penetration.
He told police he and the woman had been engaged in consensual acts, then he left the room. When he was away, the friend and the woman became angry with one another, Esquibel told police. He said his friend left the residence, and he left soon after.
Esquibel was arraigned on Monday, and granted a $5,000 unsecured appearance bond, under the conditions he wears an ankle monitor, undergoes alcohol monitoring and stays away from the woman’s residence. He is scheduled for a preliminary court hearing on Nov. 1 and will have an opportunity to enter a plea.
Santa Fe Police Department Spokesman Greg Gurulé said Monday that police are still searching for the second suspect.