Last Friday, three minor league players for the New York Mets were found guilty of gang-raping a girl, then 17 years old, while she was vacationing in Florida.
The defendants, eighteen-year-old Jose Brea-Tousand, Natividad Tavarez, and Milton Gonzalez, were charged and convicted of sexual battery from the April assault.
Assistant state attorney Steve Levin told the jury, “This is about domination, bragging rights, laughter, humiliation, degradation, control, and emotional abuse.” Defense lawyers for the men argued that the girl had consented to group sex.
Upon arrest, the players were suspended from the Mets’ extended spring training camp for rookies. Sentencing is scheduled for December 18.
Two other Mets players, Vincente Rosario, 20, and Rudy De La Cruz, 18, will stand trial next month for their alleged involvement in the assault.
