Former New Mexico State basketball player Kim Aiken Jr. has agreed to a plea deal in a sexual assault case involving teammates that resulted in the suspension of the team’s 2022-23 season. Aiken pleaded guilty to two felony counts of false imprisonment and one count of conspiracy to commit false imprisonment. He will testify against another former teammate, Deshawndre Washington, in February. If the deal holds, Aiken will receive 4 1/2 years of probation, despite initially facing up to 24 years in prison.
This comes after teammate Doctor Bradley also agreed to testify against Washington in exchange for pleading guilty to disorderly conduct. Bradley could receive probation after initially facing up to 27 years in prison.
Civil lawsuits in the case described a disturbing ritual in which victims’ pants were pulled down, and their genitals were grabbed. These actions were consistent with the findings of the school’s Title IX investigation. The indictments outlined incidents in 2022 where younger players and staff were allegedly held against their will and assaulted by the defendants.
The school settled a lawsuit with former players Deuce Benjamin and Shak Odunewu for $8 million last year after they spoke out about their abuse. Aiken, originally from Redlands, has faced a difficult road to success, escaping poverty to find basketball success.
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