Track worker faces five felony charges in rape case
By DREW KERR
dkerr@poststar.com
Updated: Thursday, August 14, 2008 5:38 PM EDT

BALLSTON SPA — A 29-year-old resident of the Saratoga Race Course was indicted on five felony charges, including rape and sexual assault, Thursday in Saratoga County Court.

Bernabe S. Felipe, who lives in the track’s dormitories, was indicted by a grand jury on one count of first-degree rape, one count of committing a sexually motivated felony, one count of second-degree assault and one count of first-degree sexual abuse, all felonies. He is also facing a charge of third-degree assault, a misdemeanor.

Felipe was arrested by Saratoga Springs police on Aug. 5 for allegedly raping a 48-year-old woman early that morning in the area of Gridley and Admas street.

Felipe allegedly beat the woman violently and tore off her clothes, Saratoga County District Attorney James Murphy said.

The case was originally sent to City Court, where he pleaded not guilty to one charge of first-degree rape. The case was later moved to County Court.

Felipe remained in Saratoga County Jail on Thursday for lack of $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges Monday.

This is one of two rape cases involving men living at the Saratoga Race Course that are winding through the county court system.

Morris R. Lewis, 52, was indicted in Saratoga County Court on Monday on one count each of first-degree rape and first-degree sexual abuse, both felonies, as well as unlawful imprisonment, a misdemeanor.

He is accused of forcing a woman to have sex with him on June 11 at the track’s dormitory where he lives.

Lewis pleaded not guilty to the charge on Wednesday in County Court and remains in the Saratoga County Jail, where he is being held without bail.

Murphy said federal immigration officials will investigate whether or not each man should face deportation. They are both originally from Mexico, he said.

"It certainly concerns us, because we’ve never had these kinds of incidents before," Murphy said. "Obviously, we’re taking these cases very seriously."

If the men are convicted, they will serve their sentences at state prisons and then be immediately sent to their country of origin.

Neither Felipe nor Lewis was employed by the New York Racing Association, said John Lee, a spokesman for NYRA. They do live at the track but are employed by trainers who stable there, he said.
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