MMA fighter admits to sexually assaulting unconscious woman

Get the Full StoryThe Scottsdale-based fighter could receive a 10-year prison sentence after changing his plea. TW: The following article describes a sexual assault. This content may be disturbing to some readers.

KTAR News in Phoenix, AZ has reported that Rodolfo Ramirez, 28, a mixed martial artist, has plead guilty to a sexual assault that occurred in Scottsdale in September 2016. Ramirez, who was arrested soon after the incident, originally plead not guilty to 12 felony charges which included multiple counts of kidnapping, sexual assault, sexual abuse, and voyeurism per AZ Central .

The crime that Ramirez has confessed to involved an Arizona State University student in her mid-20s. The student reported to investigators that she had been sexually assaulted after drinking with a friend at a Scottsdale bar.

After leaving the bar on September 17th, 2016 the student felt sick and unable to walk. Her friend then left her at Shoeman Lane and Brown Avenue so she could retrieve a vehicle that would take them home.

While the student waited for her friend Ramirez approached. Surveillance footage shows that shortly after the two met, the student fell unconscious. Footage further revealed that after this happened Ramirez lifted the woman up, threw her over his shoulder, and walked to a parking garage.

Ramirez then sexually assaulted the student in a corner of the garage. After this assault, Ramirez called an Uber to take him and the student to his home; where he continued to sexually assault her.

The student told police that she woke up in pain that morning on Ramirez s couch. She was naked from the waist down with no memory of what had happened after she left the bar. Ramirez then asked her if she wanted a ride.

The student said she cried in shock and fear after seeing Ramirez, but accepted a ride to a friend s dormitory. Once there the student called Scottsdale police and reported the incident.

Police were told by bar staff that Ramirez was a cage fighter and they were pointed to the gym he trained at. They picked Ramirez up without incident and the student identified him in a line-up.

Ramirez s pro MMA career began in 2013. His last fight was in 2016 for Iron Boy Promotions. He competed as an amateur between 2009 and 2012.

Ramirez will be sentenced on July 10th. His plea agreement means he will face between seven and 10 years in prison. He will also be placed on a sex offender registry.

Survivor of sexual assault in the US can find support via the following organizations:

US - Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network RAINN s National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE 4673 . RAINN also has an online chat service.

Love is Respect, 1-866-331-9474. They can also be reached via online chat or by texting LOVEIS to 22522.

End Rape on Campus EROC , 1-424-777-EROC 3762 .

Canada - Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime, 1-877-232-2610.

UK and Ireland - UK Says No More.

Rest of the World - International Rapes Crisis Hotlines.

Share: