A LOCAL firefighter accused of raping a female minor pled not guilty in Superior Court of Guam.
Dean Ray Quinata, 38, was indicted in court with first degree criminal sexual conduct as a first degree felony.
According to defense attorney Curtis Van de Veld, prosecutors failed to provide exculpatory evidence to the grand jury. As a result, prosecutors may have to take a step back and present the case again.
“The government at the grand jury did not present the exculpatory evidence that had been provided to it by the defendant which included the identity of at least six persons who were with Mr. Quinata both an hour before to an hour after the time claimed by the victim as to the time of the sexual assault,” Van de Veld explained. “We had some discussions (of the case) being re-presented to the grand jury. ... We’re evaluating what we’re going to do.”
According to court documents, Quinata was arrested in May after police received a sexual assault complaint identifying him as the suspect. It was reported that Quinata allegedly inappropriately touched the 11-year-old victim before engaging in intercourse with her. The victim indicated she “was afraid, and did not resist because she was scared.”
Quinata is a firefighter with the Guam Fire Department assigned to the Umatac Fire Station. According to GFD, Quinata has been on approved annual leave through July, pending the outcome of the court case. He is also on pretrial release.
Firefighter pleads not guilty in rape case
- Friday, 29 Jun 2012 03:00am
- BY GERALDINE CASTILLO | VARIETY NEWS STAFF
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