Saudi military officer accused of raping boy at Circus Circus


Posted: Jan 04, 2013 4:25 PM CSTUpdated: Jan 04, 2013 10:38 PM CSTPosted By Matt Guillermo, Web Producer - bio | email
Posted By Jason R. Latham, Assistant News Director - bio | email
Posted By Jon Castagnino, Reporter - email


Mazen Alotaibi (Courtesy: LVMPD)

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -A sergeant in the Saudi Arabian Air Force is accused of raping a 13-year-old boy at the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino on New Year's Eve.

That's according to Las Vegas Metro police, who arrested 23-year-old Mazen Alotaibi on charges of sexual assault, lewdness, coercion and kidnapping.
Alotaibi is in the United States for training exercises and is temporarily stationed at San Antonio's Lackland Air Force Base, police said.

The alleged assault was reported at 9:20 a.m. on Dec. 31, as hundreds of thousands of people descended on the Las Vegas Strip for the city's annual New Year's Eve festivities.

Alotaibi and the alleged victim were both guests at the hotel, police said.

Las Vegas attorney Brent Bryson tells FOX5 the degree of involvement of the Saudi Arabian government could depend on Alotaibi's importance to the military.

"If it's a highly classified secret-type mission, and he's one of only a handful of people in the world can pull it off, then that may enter in the equation," said Bryson.

Bryson also thinks the case is likely to stay in Las Vegas and will be handled with care by the district attorney's office.

"I do believe that there's a potential for inflammatory conduct by both sides if extra precautions are not taken," he said.

Saudi military officer accused of raping boy at Circus Circus - FOX5 Vegas - KVVU