Fort Lewis College student arrested on suspicion of sexual assault

Authorities say Cordell Alonzo Massey, 18, forced woman to have sex
Massey

An 18-year-old Fort Lewis College student was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault this week after authorities say he forced a female student to have sex.

According to an arrest affidavit, the incident occurred at a dorm on campus on the night of Aug. 30. The victim contacted authorities that night about the alleged sexual assault.

Court documents show the woman was hanging out with Cordell Alonzo Massey when at some point in the night, he forced the woman to perform sexual acts, including intercourse.

The woman went to Mercy Regional Medical Center the next morning to have a Sex Assault Nurse Examination conducted.

FLC Police interviewed Massey on Sept. 1 about the incident. Massey told authorities he and the woman did not have sex.

When investigating officers told Massey the woman said they did have sex, he “then admitted to me that they did have sex,” the arrest affidavit says.

Massey denied that he forced the woman to have sex.

Massey was charged Sept. 6 with sexual assault, a Class 4 felony. As of Friday afternoon, he remained in custody at the La Plata County Jail on $25,000 bail, according to the jail.

In an emailed statement, Lauren Savage, FLC spokeswoman, said, “These types of allegations and situations are always shocking and upsetting for our community. We take these incidents very seriously and work closely with the individuals who make these reports to ensure we follow their wishes for any court proceedings and campus Title IX procedures.”

jromeo@durangoherald.com