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Three former New Mexico State men's basketball players were charged with multiple felonies stemming from alleged sexual misconduct within the program, according to Colin Deaver of KTSM 9 News.
Doctor Bradley and Deshawndre Washington were charged with second degree criminal sexual penetration, fourth degree criminal sexual contact, false imprisonment and conspiracy to commit criminal sexual contact.
Kim Aiken Jr. is facing charges of second degree criminal sexual penetration, false imprisonment, fourth degree criminal sexual contact, conspiracy to commit criminal sexual contact and false imprisonment—conspiracy.
New Mexico State announced in February it was suspending its season amid a hazing scandal.
A victim had come forward to tell police he had been hazed as recently as a week prior and named three teammates in his complaint. He said the alleged hazing had been ongoing since the previous summer and included "inappropriate physical and sexual touching," per ESPN.com.
New Mexico State eventually canceled the rest of its 2022-23 men's basketball season and fired head coach Greg Heiar.
On Nov. 1, Deaver published the details of a report solicited by NMSU's Office of Institutional Equity through a third-party firm. Investigators determined Aiken, Bradley and Washington were in violation of multiple Title IX policies that rose to the level of expulsion from the school. None of the three are enrolled at New Mexico State anymore.
In June, New Mexico State agreed to an $8 million settlement with Deuce Benjamin and Shak Odunewu, two basketball players who said they had been sexually assaulted. Benjamin's father, William, was a co-defendant in the lawsuit as well.
"In their lawsuit, Benjamin and Odunewu described being ganged up on and assaulted on more than one occasion," the Associated Press' Eddie Pells reported. "Odunewu said one time, after seeing Benjamin being assaulted, he asked a coach to do something, and the coach responded by laughing and asking 'What do you want me to do about it?'"
A second lawsuit against the school was filed this week by former Aggies player Kyle Feit, who's joined by a former teammate and NMSU student manager who chose to remain anonymous. In addition to allegations of sexual assault, the lawsuit alleges players would carry handguns when around the team despite them being prohibited on the NMSU campus and during school trips.
Former New Mexico State basketball coach Greg Heiar said in arbitration documents that he was made out to be a "sacrificial lamb" after he was fired with cause in February amid a hazing scandal at the school, per ESPN's Myron Medcalf.
Former New Mexico State chancellor Dan Arvizu canceled the season in February after both former player Mike Peake shot and killed 19-year-old Brandon Travis in self-defense—Peake was not charged—and three players were accused of hazing, sexual assault and harassment.
Deuce Benjamin, his father William and Shak Odunewu all sued the school. Benjamin and Odunewu said they were "ganged up on and assaulted on more than one occasion," per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), and when Benjamin approached a coach on one occasion to report the situation, the coach laughed and asked, "What do you want me to do about it?"
Benjamin ultimately went to campus police to report on the situation and Heiar was fired. Benjamin and his father were awarded $4.125 million as part of their settlement with the school, while Odunewu received $3.875 million.
Heiar, who is seeking financial recourse for breach of contract, argued in arbitration documents that he was unaware of any hazing allegations before his firing and that the school didn't inform him of the situation despite knowing for a month before his termination.
"Coach Heiar has suffered and continues to suffer monetary and/or economic damages... that have and will continue to prevent him from similar gainful employment in the coaching industry, for which he is entitled to an award of monetary damages and relief," the Danoff Law Firm, which is representing Heiar, said in a statement..
The school responded by noting that both Title IX and school policies prevented them from informing him of the allegations, and that he "refused to cooperate" with the school's hazing investigation.
Heiar also argued that the school didn't inform him of a "toxic and secretive culture" that affected player accountability and that the school wouldn't allow him to discipline players on a number of occasions.
The school responded by saying that the former head coach never lost his disciplinary powers and "only made suggestions regarding basketball related discipline because [Heiar] failed to act."
Former New Mexico State men's basketball player Mike Peake will not be charged in a fatal shooting that occurred on a rival college's campus this past November, authorities announced.
According to ESPN, the Bernalillo District Attorney's Office said in a statement that "the decision to not charge Mike Peake was made by the prior administration based on all the facts and evidence presented to them. Nothing has changed, so we're honoring that decision."
New Mexico State placed Peake on indefinite suspension shortly after the Nov. 19 shooting death of 19-year-old University of New Mexico student Brandon Travis. Peake told authorities that he had been lured to the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque hours before a rivalry game between the Aggies and the Lobos.
The 21-year-old junior forward was subjected to an assault with a baseball bat by Travis and two other men in a dormitory parking lot, authorities stated. Video surveillance then showed an exchange of gunfire between Peake and Travis, and authorities said Travis died at the scene after being shot multiple times while Peake suffered a leg wound.
Peake entered the NCAA transfer portal in December but has not committed to another team.
New Mexico State indefinitely suspended its men's basketball program in February following a review of a campus police report in which an Aggies player alleged that three of his teammates committed acts of false imprisonment, harassment and criminal sexual contact.
Former New Mexico State basketball players Shakiru Odunewu and Deuce Benjamin have spoken out about the sexual assault and harassment they say they and other members of the team were subjected to by teammates.
Speaking to ESPN's Sara Coello, Odunewu said "there were most definitely other players that got attacked the way that we got attacked," but he felt the alleged attackers "manipulated them to believe that if they came out, that they were snitching."
Benjamin explained after a game they played at the University of Texas-El Paso, the players who harassed them "pantsed" one of the assistant coaches while sleeping on the team bus.
"[Other coaches acted] like they didn't see it," he added.
The public comments come after Benjamin and Odunewu filed a lawsuit last month in which they said they were sexually assaulted by teammates and the coaching staff and other school administrators did nothing when they reported it.
Odunewu told Coello the three players named in the lawsuit—Kim Aiken Jr., Doctor Bradley and Deshawndre Washington—targeted "just about everyone" on the team at least once.
According to Coello, Odenuwu explained the "more frequent or severe punishments were reserved for those who fought back" against the attacks.
According to Benjamin, pulling down a player's pants was at times treated as a pregame ritual.
Coello noted Benjamin specifically cited one incident when Washington "ordered another player to pull down his uniform shorts for good luck" when players got ready to run onto the court.
The New Mexico State University board of regents, two former members of the coaching staff and three former players were named as defendants in the lawsuit.
The suit also alleges players were subjected to inappropriate touching by their teammates.
"While NMSU does not comment on pending litigation, we want to assure everyone that this issue is being taken seriously," school spokesperson Justin Bannister said in a statement to the Associated Press.
Per the lawsuit, one assistant coach responded with, "What do you want me to do about it?" when Odunewu approached him about the alleged assaults, and then-head coach Greg Heiar said "said that he was looking into it and would issue some suspensions" after Odunewu discussed the assaults with them three different times.
No disciplinary action was taken.
The school announced on Feb. 11 it was suspending operations for the basketball program until further notice and the coaching staff was placed on administrative leave. The decision came after Benjamin reported the allegations to campus police.
NMSU chancellor Dan Arvizu canceled the remainder of the men's basketball season on Feb. 12 amid the school's investigation into the hazing allegations.
Benjamin and Odunewu, both freshman, have entered the transfer portal. Coello noted they both intend to petition the NCAA for an additional year of eligibility.
The culture problems within the New Mexico State University athletic department reportedly stretch beyond the men's basketball program.
According to documents obtained by ESPN's Sara Coello, George Ross Jr., the director of operations for women's basketball, sexually harassed a student who was working in his office in July 2022.
The student, who worked as a janitor in the arena where the athletic offices are located, said that while she was vacuuming Ross' office, he asked if she wanted to hang out and "began 'pushing' to take her out for a beer," per ESPN.
The student then walked away from the situation, but Ross allegedly followed her into another office, blocking the doorway, and asked her three or four more times to go on a date with him, saying, "Don't forget what I said."
The student went on to tell a coworker what happened because she felt threatened, and the matter was brought to the Title IX office on July 14.
Ross, who described the situation as "small talk," was given a warning and told to avoid further contact with the student. Title IX deputy coordinator Annamarie DeLovato said the matter "didn't rise to the level of violating NMSU's nondiscrimination policy," per ESPN.
An unidentified person interviewed in the investigation said "Ross' behavior should prevent him from coaching or being around other women," according to ESPN. However, he still works with the women's basketball program.
The university's Title IX office is investigating three other complaints of sexual harassment or abuse that allegedly occurred at the school's basketball arena and athletic department offices, according to ESPN. The school declined to clarify whether those investigations involve athletes or athletic staff.
The NMSU athletic department has been under intense scrutiny since men's basketball player Mike Peake shot and killed University of New Mexico student Brandon Travis in November. Peake was allegedly lured to the New Mexico campus by a group looking to attack him.
Police ruled Peake's actions to be in self-defense, but team coaches and staffers were "found to be in possession of multiple pieces of potential evidence in the shooting, including the gun," according to ESPN.
The men's basketball program's 2022-23 season also ended prematurely after three players were cited by police for alleged false imprisonment, harassment and counts of criminal sexual contact in hazing teammates.
Former NMSU head football coach Doug Martin was also investigated in March 2020 after making players, including injured players, "practice in dangerous conditions by threatening to revoke their scholarships," per Coello. Martin was cleared of wrongdoing by the school but was let go after the 2021 season.
[TW: This article discusses multiple forms of trauma, including sexual assault.]
Former New Mexico State men's basketball players Deuce Benjamin and Shakiru Odunewu filed a lawsuit Wednesday in the Third Judicial District Court accusing ex-teammates Kim Aiken Jr., Doctor Bradley and Deshawndre Washington of sexual assault, battery, harassment and bullying.
The plaintiffs are also joined by Benjamin's father, William Benjamin. The group also accuses ex-men's basketball head coach Greg Heiar, former assistant Dominique Taylor and the New Mexico State Board of Regents of negligence.
Those allegations led to the shutdown of the program for the remainder of the 2022-23 season in mid-February. Heiar was fired for cause amid the investigation.
The lawsuit outlined numerous allegations of sexual assault and battery. In one instance, Aiken, Bradley and Washington are accused of attacking Odunewu in the back of the team bus and pulling down his pants and underwear before assaulting him.
The lawsuit reads:
"They slapped his bare buttocks and he felt fingers inserted into his anus while his scrotum was simultaneously squeezed. Despite his efforts to resist, Aiken, Bradley and Washington were all large men and all on him. He could not get away. He was forced to endure the painful and humiliating experience as it continued for an indeterminable amount of time."
The lawsuit states that coaches paid little attention to what occurred and instead focused on their phones and tablets. Odunewu claims that Taylor laughed at him and asked, "What do you want me to do?" when he reported the incident.
Per the lawsuit, Odunewu said he had three discussions with Heiar regarding the incident, though no suspensions were handed out.
Allegations in which Benjamin was the victim were outlined as well. In one instance, Benjamin said he was pulled into a hotel room during a road trip. Some players were in the room with some young women. Washington soon forcefully pulled down Benjamin's pants and grabbed his scrotum in front of the crowd.
After Benjamin revealed to his father what had happened, William Benjamin attempted to contact Heiar and athletic director Mario Mocchia, to no avail.
The lawsuit also says that at least one other player and staff member were victims of hazing by the defendants.
It also states that the allegations began during the summer of 2022 and lasted until February 2023.
The plaintiffs seek judgment that will "reasonably compensate each of them for their damages, punitive damages against the individuals, costs of suit, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys' fees, and such other and additional relief as the Court may deem just and proper."
New Mexico State men's basketball head coach Greg Heiar has been fired following allegations of student-athlete hazing, NMSU Chancellor Dan Arvizu said Tuesday, per Jason Groves of Las Cruces Sun-News.
Arvizu said Saturday that players on the basketball team were interviewed by school officials regarding the alleged hazing, which led to the entire program being shut down.
"Hazing is a despicable act," Arvizu wrote in a letter to the NMSU community. "It humiliates and degrades someone and has the potential to cause physical and emotional harm, or even death. Sadly, hazing can become part of an organization's culture, if left unchecked."
Arvizu added that the university would hold a meeting on Tuesday to "discuss limited personnel matters concerning individual employees." It didn't mention which employees were being discussed.
Colin Deaver of KTSM 9 News reported Feb. 10 that New Mexico State had abruptly suspended the men's basketball team and placed the coaching staff on paid administrative leave following possible violations of school policy.
The only details provided at the time were that it was unrelated to the investigation into a fatal shooting involving Aggies basketball player Mike Peake and four University of New Mexico students.
More details of the alleged hazing were uncovered on Feb. 12, per a New Mexico State University Police Department report obtained by Meredith Deliso and Bill Hutchinson of ABC News.
The report stated that a player on the men's basketball team reported the alleged hazing to police on Friday. The player said they had been hazed by three teammates in the locker room for several months and that it often occurred in front of the whole team.
On Sunday, Arvizu announced the remainder of the team's season had been canceled by the university.
Two players, Shahar Lazar and Kent Olewiler, announced they would be leaving the program and intended to enter the transfer portal. Darius Carr, a four-star prospect, has also announced he will be asking for his release from his national letter of intent amid the turmoil.
The season is reportedly over for the New Mexico State men's basketball program.
According to Jeff Goodman of Stadium, the school is shutting the team down for the rest of the 2022-23 campaign as it investigates "multiple hazing incidents by three players on one of their teammates."
This comes after the school announced on Saturday that it was suspending the program "until further notice" with the coaching staff on paid administrative leave.
NMSU chancellor Dan E. Arvizu sent a letter to the community that said, "The most important job I have as Chancellor of the NMSU System is to ensure our students are safe and protected from harm," per Jacob Lev of CNN. "That's why I was so heartbroken and sickened to hear about these hazing allegations."
The letter also called hazing a "despicable act."
Colin Deaver of KTSM reported New Mexico State University police released a redacted report Sunday that said a player on the men's basketball team went to campus police to report an assault but didn't want to file criminal charges.
"The police report cites three offenses for the three players: one count of false imprisonment, one count of harassment and two counts of sexual contact," Deaver wrote. "The victim told police that the incidents had been occurring since July or August of 2022."
The player said three other players, whose names were redacted, allegedly "held him down with him facing down, removed his clothing exposing his buttocks and began to 'slap his ass.' He also went on to state that they also touched his scrotum."
The school's announcement made it clear this situation is "separate from the events that took place" at New Mexico in November.
Lev noted Aggies player Mike Peake was wounded during a November shooting in which he was targeted by New Mexico student Brandon Travis. Travis was killed after he exchanged gunfire with Peake.
This has all occurred during the first season for head coach Greg Heiar at New Mexico State.
The Aggies went 9-15 prior to ending the season.
The New Mexico State men's basketball program is suspending operations indefinitely after possible violations of school policy, per Colin Deaver of KTSM 9 News.
The school said the allegations are separate from the investigation into a fatal shooting involving Aggies basketball player Mike Peake and four University of New Mexico students that occurred in November:
"NMSU personnel were recently informed of new allegations, separate from the events that took place in Albuquerque late last year, involving potential violations of university policy. While those allegations are being investigated, the men's basketball coaching staff has been placed on paid administrative leave. The game scheduled for February 11 against California Baptist will not be played."
Jeff Goodman of Stadium reported the new incident involved allegations of hazing, which was why the program was suspended:
In November, four University of New Mexico students allegedly lured Peake to the school's campus with plans to assault him.
A female student allegedly lured Peake to the campus before he was attacked by three other students with a baseball bat and shot at while trying to run away. Peake shot back and killed 19-year-old Brandon Travis.
Peake has not been charged for a crime, though he was suspended by the men's basketball program.
The female student involved has been charged with aggravated battery and conspiracy. One of the male students was charged with aggravated battery, tampering with evidence and conspiracy to commit a felony.
The Aggies are 9-15 this season and sit last in the Western Athletic Conference.
