Police arrest 4 in Hofstra gang rape

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (WABC) -- Police on Long Island say four men have been arrested and a fifth is being sought in connection with the campus rape of an 18-year-old Hofstra University student.

Nassau County police said Monday the rape occurred at the Hempstead campus at 3 a.m. Sunday.

Students can't focus on studies. Instead, they are trying to understand the horrifying details of a brutal gang rape that happened right here in a campus dorm.

Police say the victim was at a party at Hofstra USA when 19-year-old Jesus Ortiz asked the 18 year old to dance and then stole her cell phone.

"They put her in a stall and forced her, one by one, into having sexual activity," Det. Lt. John Allen of Nassau Co. Police said.

Police said three more friends then joined in the rape of the 18-year-old student.

"When they were done, they cut the ropes and had the audacity to ask if she wanted to go with them," Allen said.

Police arrested 4 suspects. They are looking for the fifth person.

Of the four defendants, police say only Bedward currently attends Hofstra University. He invited the others into the dorm, police said. Following protocol, they were signed in.

Police say Ortiz and Bedward, both of the Bronx, were arraigned on rape charges.

The judge set their bail in the amount of $500,000 bond or $350,000 cash for each of the defendants. They are both scheduled to appear in court next on Sept. 16.

The defendants face up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the most serious charge.

The other two, 19-year-old Stalin Felipe, of the Bronx, and 20-year-old Kevin Taveras, of Brentwood, were arraigned Tuesday in Hempstead. They are also being held on $500,000 bond or $350,000 cash.

In March, several Hofstra University students were arrested on drug and weapons charges after a showdown over cocaine in a school dorm room.

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