PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – A Providence police officer was accused Wednesday of raping a 19-year-old woman at a deserted police substation, then showing up at a nearby home when the woman called 911 to report the alleged attack, prosecutors said.
A grand jury indicted patrolman Marcus Huffman, 37, on a single count of first-degree sexual assault, said Michael Healey, a spokesman for Attorney General Patrick Lynch.
Huffman allegedly met the woman while on-duty March 18 at Platforms Dance Club near the city’s harbor. The woman was turned away by the club’s owner because she appeared intoxicated, and the officer offered her a ride home, Healey said.
Instead, Huffman allegedly drove her to a police substation that prosecutors believe was deserted and raped her inside.
The woman later walked to a nearby relative’s house and called 911, Healey said. Huffman was dispatched to the scene. Two other police officers who happened to be in the area also went to the home, although Huffman was the senior officer there and handled the complaint.
“He later filed a report which we allege failed to include important facts, among which were any mention of the incident involving him and the victim,” Healey said.
State Police detectives are still investigating the case. An arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 15.
Providence Police officials and Huffman’s attorney did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
AP-ES-08-01-07 1943EDT
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