http://elpasotimes.com/news/ci_4044360

Article Launched: 7/13/2006 12:00 AM

Stripper admits assault, is deported

By Daniel Borunda / El Paso Times
El Paso Times

One of two male strippers accused of sexually assaulting a woman at an adult club near El Paso last May was deported home to Juárez on Tuesday after pleading guilty and getting probation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said.
Mario Antelmo Reyes Rizo, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted sexual assault. He was sentenced to three years of probation by Judge Patrick Garcia of the 384th District Court, said Leticia Zamarripa, spokeswoman for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Reyes was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for deportation.

Reyes had a border crossing card, or laser visa, but violated the terms of admission because he worked illegally in the United States and was in the country longer than the 30 days allowed, immigration officials said.

Reyes, who had been in the country since March, is now barred from returning to the U.S. for life. If he returns, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

Reyes and fellow dancer Juan Gutierrez, 23, were accused of a sexually assaulting a 20-year-old woman on May 5 at Great Expectation, an adult club at 12901 Montana outside the eastern city limits.

The woman had gone to the club with a friend to view a male strip show during "ladies night," according to complaint affidavits.

The friend bought the woman a "table dance," and Gutierrez took her to a back room where he and Reyes allegedly sexually assaulted the young woman. El Paso Times policy is to not identify victims of sex crimes.

Both Reyes and Gutierrez denied raping the woman when interviewed by detectives with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, documents stated. Gutierrez claimed to have a dysfunction, and Reyes claimed he only put his thumb in the woman's mouth.

The status of the court case against Gutierrez, who is a U.S. citizen, was not available Wednesday night.

Daniel Borunda may be reachedat dborunda@elpasotimes.com;546-6012.