Two Greenport men arrested and charged with forcible rape in the first degree were arraigned before Justice Bill Price today in Southold Town justice court and held on $250,000 cash bail or $500,000 bond.
According to Southold Town Police, Jahvan Leeroy Martin, 20, and Tiquan Williams, 21, were arrested today at 2:30 a.m. on West Street in Greenport and charged with rape in the first degree, a felony. The were both also charged with possession of marijuana, a violation.
Following an investigation of allegations of forcible rape, Southold police said they executed a search warrant early this morning at 428 West Street in Greenport.
According to complaint, Martin held the victim’s arms while Williams “forced her legs open” and raped her; next, Martin raped her, the complaint said.
The alleged incident occurred at the West Street location Monday at 1 a.m., police said.
Both men had family and friends in the courtroom.
Public defender Patrick Burns, representing Martin, said his client was aware he was charged with a “very serious crime”. Martin, he said, was a lifetime resident of New York who lives in Albany but was in Greenport, helping his disabled grandmother.
“His first concern was getting back to her,” Burns said. Martin, he said, works at Siena College in maintenance and also does catering. Burns said his client pleaded not guilty and he asked the judge for “reasonable” bail.
Assistant Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Cronin said based on the nature of the charge, a $250,000 cash bail and $500,000 bond was requested.
Southampton attorney Anthony Rutkowski, representing Williams for the arraignment, said Williams had no prior arrests, was born in the Bronx and has lived in Greenport for eight years. He graduated from Greenport High School and attends vocational school, Rutkowski said.
Rutkowski said Williams maintains the sexual act was “consensual” and that the woman was at the home “voluntarily.”
Once again, Cronin asked for $250,000 cash bail or $500,000 bond.
Judge Price set the bail at $250,000 cash or $500,000 bond and issued orders of protection on both men.
Both defendants are due back in court on Monday. The case will go before the grand jury.
Editor’s note: A criminal charge is an accusation. By law, a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law..
