Ex-Marine Accused Of Rape At Denver Airport

A former Marine was convicted of violently raping a woman at the Denver International Airport last spring. Denver District Attorney’s spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough said in a statement, “A Denver District Court jury found Noel Alexander Bertrand, guilty of sexual assault with force for attacking the woman after having drinks with her at the Denver International Airport.”

Both Bertrand and the victim testified in the three-day trial. According to Fox News, Bertrand and the victim had drinks at an airport bar and allegedly headed toward concourse “A” together in the early morning hours of April 12 of last year. The 22-year-old victim testified that Bertrand became violent after she refused his sexual advances, attacking her when she “refused a kiss.” Bertrand then allegedly slammed the victim’s head repeatedly against the floor and raped her inside the airport’s “A” concourse, according to Today.com. During the trial, the victim told jurors that “she didn’t scream because she was being choked.”

Today.com reports that two Frontier Airlines mechanics testified during the trial that they witnessed the attack and intervened when they saw the victim struggling against Bertrand. They then detained Bertrand until the Denver police responded and arrested him.

Bertrand took the stand in his own defense during the trial, states Reuters, testifying to the jury — made up of 6 men and 6 women — that he and the victim participated in “consensual, rough sex.” The jury sided with the victim. Bertrand’s sentencing will take place on November 30, where — according to Today.com — he could potentially face life in prison.