By Ryan Broderick, Senior News Editor
The four men that allegedly raped an 18 year-old female Hofstra student on Sunday morning were released from custody Wednesday night. The alleged victim recanted her accusation according to the office of Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice. Jesus Ortiz, a Bronx resident, Stalin Felipe, also of the Bronx, Kevin Traveras, of Brentwood, New York, and Hofstra student Rondell Bedward were originally arrested on the University grounds by Nassau County police sometime between two and three o’clock in the morning.
After their arrest, the four men were each charged with 5 counts of rape in the first degree. According to a fax from Eric Phillips, director of communications for the DA’s office, their bail was set to the amount of $500,000 bond or $350,000 cash. They each faced up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the most serious charges brought against them.
The 21-year-old Bedward , a Bronx native, is a senior speech communications major. He is heavily involved in sports and politics on campus. He also holds a job as a resident safety representative (RSR). The men, and allegedly a fifth who was not found, were charged with tying the female student up and taking turns raping her.
The alleged incident began in Hofstra USA at an event titled “Return Of The Sphinx,” held by the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. The victim claimed she was dancing when approached by Jesus Ortiz. The story detailed Ortiz’s snatching the victim’s cell phone from her waist and leaving the building with it in his possession.
Reports were unclear as to how she traveled the distance between Hofstra USA and the Estabrook residence hall. Early police information on late Monday afternoon stipulated that she followed Ortiz to the front of Estabrook where Bedward met her and brought her up to her floor.
In an official press release Monday morning, the University attempted to inform students of the ongoing police investigation. University Relations wrote, “We are saddened and deeply distressed by these allegations of horrific crimes perpetrated against a member of our community. Acts of sexual violence are not tolerated on our campus.”
After the University issued its statement, news agencies descended upon the campus. A good amount of students were informed for the first time of the attack while being interviewed.
On Wednesday around 10:30 p.m., a statement was released that announced that the encounter between the four men and the female student was consensual. When asked about the sudden change in events, Melissa Connolly, vice president for university relations, commented, “No, we’re processing, I still haven’t seen anything other than what I saw online and I still haven’t seen the other statement by the DA. Certainly we’re still going to schedule events to talk about this process and discuss where we’re going to go next.”
Connolly went on to state that the University was preparing to deal with press coming as early as five o’clock in the morning Thursday. As far as how the campus was going to deal with it emotionally, Connolly’s office sent out an email to students, saying “This week has been a very difficult one for our entire community, and as additional information becomes available we will post it on the University home page.”
When asked about the emotions running through her office Wednesday night going into Thursday morning, Connolly said everyone was just thankful it was over. “I actually started crying. It was partially relief and partially sadness that four young men had to go through this; that a member of our campus would do this to another member of our campus…”
A police detective holds a press conference about the charges (Ryan Broderick/The Chronicle)
Scenes from the police investigation on the 11th floor of Estabrooke Hall. (Sean M. Gates/ The Chronicle)
Sceneces from the police investigation on the 11th floor of Estabrooke Hall. (The Chronicle)
