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Cayo Cop Accused Of Rape Criminally Arraigned
posted (December 29, 2015)
In last night's newscast you heard Vanessa Evans' chilling story. She alleges that while she was detained at the San Ignacio police station - a police officer took her out of her cell, guided her to a dark room, handcuffed her and raped her. It's rare that a rape victim speaks out publicly, but Evans told us she went through too much to be silent any longer. And she told us she is so happy she did because not the officer she claims raped her has been charged. Today we traveled to Cayo to find out more about the police investigation and also to capture Evan's reaction to the rape charges. Here is that story.

Courtney Weatherburne reporting
Calm, respectful and committed. Those are just a few words used to describe Constable Luke Moriera.

He was officer of the month for November of this year and his picture was among the other model officers on this wall.

But today, instead of proudly walking out of the police station as he usually does, he walked out with his head hung low to court for his bail hearing. Moriera was charged for the rape of female detainee Vanessa Evans -and it happened right inside the police station.

Insp. Reymundo Reyes, Deputy OC, San Ignacio Police
"It was shocking news, especially when the officer who was being accused named was called. Because he is a person that we do not have any sorts of irregularities - a calm person."

But regardless of how surprising the news was, an investigation was done and statements from other police officers and prisoners were documented and surveillance footage was reviewed. Inspector Reyes told us this case was no different from any other.

Insp. Reymundo Reyes, Deputy OC, San Ignacio Police
"Dealing with this case was nothing different from dealing with a case coming from an ordinary civilian. The complaint was made and we launched our investigation. We had to gone through the process of going through caution statements, if it was to be given, conducting of identification parade - all of that had to be done so that at the end of the day we could say that when the arrest was done, that we had exhausted all avenues which form part of that investigation. So it was not something that police was trying to cover up or being bias. We were taking our time, recording the proper statements, ensuring that the elements of the allegation or whatsoever need to be proven in court."

But while the case is now before the court, in retrospect - this entire ordeal could have been avoided if proper procedures were followed.

Insp. Reymundo Reyes, Deputy OC, San Ignacio Police
"The night of the allegation PC Moriera was attached to a relief being manned by a corporal of police. There were 5 of them. Sometime around 5am, there was a phone call that came in through the 911 emergency line where it was said that there was a burglary in progress. The corporal on duty decided to use the 4 strong persons that they had - his team and they went and check on that said report leaving the officer as the diarist and that is when allegedly the incident transpired whilst the corporal was away with his other officers."

Courtney Weatherburne
"So Moriera was here at the police station by himself pretty much."

Insp. Reymundo Reyes, Deputy OC, San Ignacio Police
"Yes, that is right."

And he should not have been alone with Evans - a female officer should have been present. But according to Reyes - she was sick.

Insp. Reymundo Reyes, Deputy OC, San Ignacio Police
"We have a system where on each relief we have a female police officer attached to the relief itself. Unfortunately that morning the relief was out of female because the female was on sick leave. We do have a female on each relief just because of this precautions. Because if a female wants to use the bathroom, it is advisable that the female officer is the one who escort her from the cell block area to the restroom."

Now Reyes says - there must be a backup plan to ensure the safety and security of detainees - especially female.

Insp. Reymundo Reyes, Deputy OC, San Ignacio Police
"We are human beings. We never expect that such allegation would come especially from here, because we constantly talk to our officers. We have in-service trainings, we tell them what is right, what is wrong. But you could only advised them. You as the individual is the one who decide whether you want to go the right way or go the wrong way. But administrative wise, we do have a female on each relief and maybe what we have to do now is that whenever a female from any of the other reliefs reports sick - that we could try get somebody else to replace that female for that period of time."

So while the police focus on implementing more rigorous measures at the station, Evans and her family focus on healing.

Courtney Weatherburne
"As we told you Luke Moriera has been charged. The police officer has been arrested and charged with two counts of rape. When I told you that behind the house, you were shocked, you were surprised, you didn't know and you had this look of relief. Describe to us your feelings right now?"

Vanessa Evans, "I was raped"
"It's unspeakable. But I am happy that I get justice and I hope that everything works out. I am so happy that I can't even speak. But I am happy and am looking forward for a happy ending. I know now that I can go to sleep and not thinking that they are going to come for me."

Courtney Weatherburne
"If he could hear or listen to this interview. What would you have to say to him?"

Vanessa Evans, "I was raped"
"That I am sorry that you did what you did. I am not sorry that you get what you deserved."

And Evan's husband Daniel says they will continue fighting until Moriera gets exactly what he deserves.

Daniel Montgomery, Husband
"She needs all the support that we can get. We have many organizations in this country; Women Against Rape, People Against Crime. This has happened, she needs legal assistance, so we can pursue this to the fullest. That is not just as he raped her - the whole family in turn feels raped. That individual in a way raped the police department and they should have a feeling of something to correct. I would also like to make a plea for the Hon. Dean Barrow to make a comment. More importantly Mrs. Barrow. This is a country that prayed for your welfare when you were in distress and now there is another country woman in distress."

In terms of the allegation that there are more female victims, Reyes told us no one else has come forward to make any complaints. We will keep following this case.

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