Prosecutors dismiss sexual assault charges against 3 airmen

CLOVIS, N.M. — Prosecutors have dismissed charges against three airmen at Cannon Air Force Base in eastern New Mexico who were accused of rape.

Ninth Judicial District Attorney Andrea Reeb said Friday the charges would be dropped against 25-year-old Senior Airman Thomas Newton, 20-year-old Airman 1st Class Isaiah Edley and 19-year-old Airman 1st Class Rahman Buchanan.

She said prosecutors would be unable to prove the case to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. She said she made the decision after reviewing results from the state crime lab and meeting with investigators about the case.

If more evidence comes to light, she said the case could be refiled.

Court records say the three men were arrested in January 2018 and charged with second-degree criminal sexual penetration after a female airman told police they assaulted her at a house party.

All three men pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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