SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA: Former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza was not present during the alleged gang rape of a minor in 2021 that led to his release from the NFL team last year. An unsealed 200-page document includes a transcript of a conversation where a deputy district attorney explained to the girl, who was 17 years old at the time of the incident, why charges against Araiza were not pursued.
The district attorney's office had concluded that Araiza had left the San Diego party around 12.30 am on October 15, 2021, about an hour before the alleged gang rape is said to have occurred, in which Araiza was accused of participating. "He wasn’t even at the party anymore," deputy district attorney Trisha Amador is quoted as telling the girl by Yahoo. "All I know is that at that point, suspect Araiza is gone from the party."
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'I absolutely cannot prove any forceable sexual assault'
According to the report, recordings of the incident with the girl were timestamped at 1.30 am. However, Araiza had a witness who helped prosecutors determine that he had departed about an hour prior to the alleged gang rape. Moreover, the prosecutors reportedly informed the girl that the video recordings from the bedroom made it difficult to ascertain and prosecute anyone involved in a possible gang rape that night, as opposed to consensual sexual activity with the other men. "In looking at the videos on the sex tape, I absolutely cannot prove any forceable sexual assault based upon what happened," Amador said.
'They specifically heard you say you were 18'
According to the lawsuit, it was claimed that Araiza was aware that the girl was only 17 years old and under the influence of alcohol. However, witness statements from the party, including two of the girl’s friends whom she came with, reported that she did not seem to be drunk at the time. Furthermore, some witnesses said that the girl was telling people she was 18. "A witness who was in the house gave a statement saying that at — at least one point in the party, that you made a statement telling people at the party you were 18," Amador explained to the accuser. "Another witness at the party, a different one, says that they specifically heard you say you were 18."
San Diego prosecutors announced in December that Araiza would not be charged with any crimes. "Prosecutors determined it is clear the evidence does not support the filing of criminal charges. There is no path to a potential criminal conviction," the San Diego County District Attorney's Office had said.
'She should be thrown in jail'
Araiza's fans took to Twitter to offer support to the player. "False rape accusations should land you a minimum of 10 years in prison hope matt araiza gets a chance to play football again," said one, while another said, "If you are proven to have lied about sexual assault you should face criminal charges for the same length of time in jail that the man you accused of sexual assault faced. That’s the only way to provide any fairness in these situations." A third said, "A simple apology won't cut it. He lost millions of dollars in future earnings. Where was the union when he needed them. The NFL and the Bills need to be financially liable for what they did to him," while a fourth added, "I’m angry as a bills fan that we lost out on a great player and draft pick because of this girl." "She should be thrown in jail for literally ruining this man’s life," said one.
Where is Matt Araiza now?
The former San Diego State punter has signed a contract to play professional football for the Tijuana Galgos, an expansion team in the Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional (LFA). The announcement was made by his team on social media in February, stating that Araiza would be playing in the 2023 season. However, his agent, JL Sports, has stated that the announcement may be premature and declined to provide further details.
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