Air Force cadet on trial for alleged brutal rape of another cadet

A U.S. Air Force cadet that is accused of raping another cadet last year is set to go to trial in federal district court.

Alvaro Pablo Velarde is an international student from Lima, Peru who is facing two counts of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of abusive sexual contact.

The victim, a female cadet, said he raped her on Oct. 23, 2018, in her dorm room.

Transcripts from previous court hearings show the victim went to Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs and was later diagnosed with a concussion.

According to a nurse who treated the victim, she was crying in pain and needed two doses of painkillers.

Our partners at KMGH reported that prosecutors said Monday Velarde ignored the victim’s pleas to stop as he raped her. Also stating he forced her pants down, forced her onto the bed, sexually assaulted her and hit her head so hard she felt “dazed,” federal prosecutor Emily Treaster told the jury in opening statements.

Court records state Velarde’s roommate told investigators that he admitted that he continued having sex with her even after she asked him to stop.

The trial is expected to last five days. We will continue to keep you updated.