PHOENIX — A woman was violently sexually assaulted during a party with coworkers in Phoenix, according to court paperwork.
Phoenix police report that on June 1, a woman went to a house party with coworkers and was planning to use the hot tub. However, the hot tub was not heated, so she changed her mind about going in and went to a bedroom to change back into her clothes.
As she was changing, she was allegedly interrupted by Angel Latawn Lingao, 24. She asked him to leave, but instead, Lingao allegedly turned off the bedroom light, grabbed her by the throat, and threw her onto the bed.
Lingao reportedly sexually touched her before taking her to the bedroom closet and closing the door. There he allegedly sexually assaulted the woman until he was interrupted when the victim’s friends, who were searching for her, heard her crying in the closet.
When they opened the closet door, they reportedly saw Lingao with his pants down and his hand over the victim’s mouth.
Lingao fled the home but was found the next day at their place of employment.
Lingao reportedly told police that the actions witnessed by the victim’s friends were consensual.
He is being held on a $150,000 cash bond and has been charged with sexual assault.
If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic or sexual violence, there are several local and national organizations offering resources. Anyone in need of immediate assistance should contact either the Maricopa County Shelter Line at 480-890-3039, the National 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence at 602-279-2900. A number of organizations are available 24 hours a day for anyone at risk of experiencing domestic or sexual violence. See a directory of domestic violence programs here.
