Two men in Madison, Wisconsin, are facing multiple felony charges following a violent assault on a transgender woman that prosecutors have described as an attempted sexual assault. The incident has drawn attention due to the brutal nature of the attack and comments made by one of the suspects that suggest a transphobic motive.
Yorfred Gutierrez, 31, and Arturo Santos Albujas, 27, were arrested and have been charged with attempted second-degree sexual assault, strangulation and suffocation, and false imprisonment. If convicted on the most serious charge, they could each face up to 20 years in prison.
Details of the Attack
According to the criminal complaint filed in Dane County, the woman met the two men in the early hours of August 29th. She told authorities they invited her to a boat at a pier on Lake Mendota, located on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. However, upon arrival, she discovered there was no boat. When she attempted to leave, the men allegedly attacked her.
The complaint details a harrowing ordeal where the woman was reportedly beaten, dragged along the pier, and restrained as the men attempted to force her into sexual acts. She told police she feared she was going to die during the assault. Her account was corroborated by two witnesses who saw the attack and immediately contacted the police. Surveillance footage from the area also reportedly supports significant parts of her testimony.
The victim was later treated at a hospital for rib pain, with officers documenting abrasions on her knees and an open wound on her elbow.
Suspects' Statements and Legal Proceedings
Both men have disputed the allegations. Gutierrez reportedly told police that "nothing happened" and that their interactions were just "joking around."
Arturo Santos Albujas's reaction following his arrest has raised particular concern. While in a police vehicle, and before being told why he was being detained, he reportedly told an officer in Spanish that he was not gay and questioned why he was being associated with “this weird stuff,” emphasizing that he had a wife and children. These comments point towards a potential bias-motivated crime.
A judge set bond at $75,000 for Gutierrez and $100,000 for Santos Albujas. Both men remain in custody, with preliminary hearings scheduled for September 8th. Neither the victim nor the suspects are affiliated with the university.
This attack occurs amid a climate of increasing hostility and violence directed at transgender people in the United States. Community advocates continue to call for greater protections and awareness to combat the disproportionate rates of violence faced by the trans community, particularly trans women.
If you have been affected by this story, support is available. In the Netherlands, you can contact Slachtofferhulp Nederland or find local LGBTQ+ support services through COC Nederland.
