A former San Diego State University football player is accused of gang rape late last year.
On Thursday, it was reported that Buffalo Bills rookie punter Matt Araiza, along with two other individuals, have been accused of gang raping a 17-year-old minor in October of last year.
The accusation was filed in a lawsuit with the San Diego County Superior Court, involving the now NFL punter and two former teammates from his SDSU days.
The other two males are former redshirt freshman Zavier Leonard, and former freshman Nowlin Ewaliko who is not longer on SDSU's college football roster.
Araiza, Leonard and Ewaliko are all facing accusations involving rape, gender violence, and false imprisonment.
Buffalo Bills released a statement on the news saying they "were recently made aware of a civil complaint involving Matt from October 2021. Due to the serious nature of the complaint, we conducted a thorough examination of this matter. As this is an ongoing civil case, we will have no other comment at this point."
Araiza's criminal attorney, Kerry Armstrong, said this case seems to be nothing but a cash grab now that Araiza has reached professional level football.
“I 100% do not believe that he ever forcibly raped this girl or had sex with her while she was passed out, drunk, or anything like that,” Armstrong told the Associated Press. “It’s unfortunate that she’s filed a civil suit. I think it’s a cash grab," he added.
According to the lawsuit, Araiza did acknowledge having sexual contact with then 17-year-old Jane Doe, and even suggested she get tested for any STDs.
Dan Gilleon, the attorney who filed the lawsuit, says these types of crimes are things that occur too frequently by
"This was a horrific crime, the kind of which happens all too often," Gilleon said in a statement. "What makes these crimes different is not only that they were committed by self-entitled athletes. Just as awful as the crimes, for months, multiple organizations — SDSU, the San Diego Police Department, the San Diego District Attorney, and now the Buffalo Bills — have acted the part of enablers looking the other way in denial that my client deserves justice even if the defendants are prized athletes."
