New Mexico RB Crusoe Gongbay No Longer Facing Charges in Alleged Rape Case

Update: The Bernalillo County district attorney's office said prosecutors would not pursue charges against Crusoe Gongbay, Ryan Ruff and the third suspect, later identified as UNM cornerback SaQwan Edwards, in June 2014. Gongbay and Edwards were reinstated to the New Mexico football team in August 2014.

A female student at the University of New Mexico said running back Crusoe Gongbay and two other men kidnapped and raped her on April 13, according to Joseph J. Kolb of Reuters.

Gongbay, a junior, was arrested Tuesday and charged with second-degree criminal sexual penetration and one count of kidnapping. Lieutenant Tim Stump said Gongbay was still being held in jail while awaiting $50,000 bond.

Gongbay was immediately suspended from the New Mexico football team, and his status with the university remains uncertain. 

"Due to the obvious serious nature of these charges, he has been suspended indefinitely from the team,” head coach Bob Davies said in an official statement, via Kolb."

Police are still looking for a third suspect while the other identified perpetrator, Ryan Ruff, has also surrendered to police on similar charges. Ruff, 21, is being held on $100,000 bond. He is not a New Mexico student, nor does he have any known connection to the football program. 

Expected to be the Lobos' starting running back as a senior, Gongbay rushed for 592 yards and six touchdowns last season. He has played an integral role in New Mexico's offense in two of his three college seasons and was one of the Mountain West Conference's most explosive backs in 2013. New Mexico went just 3-9 last season but averaged 308.8 rushing yards per game, fourth best in the country.

The allegations, if true, would undoubtedly end Gongbay's football career and put his freedom in jeopardy. Criminal sexual penetration to the second degree is a multi-layered crime that includes "force or coercion when the perpetrator is aided or abetted by one or more persons," under New Mexico law. 

If convicted, Gongbay faces up to nine years in prison and a $10,000 fine for each count of criminal sexual penetration—synonymous with rape in New Mexico. It is a second-degree felony. Kidnapping is a first-degree felony in New Mexico that comes with a maximum of 18 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

There has been no preliminary hearing date set at this time. Gongbay has not commented publicly on these charges, nor is it known if he has obtained representation.  

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